Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Volume 25, Issue 4, 2003, Pages 469-500

Preventing Substance Abuse in Hispanic Immigrant Adolescents: An Ecodevelopmental, Parent-Centered Approach (Review)

Pantin H.* , Schwartz S.J. , Sullivan S. , Coatsworth J.D. , Szapocznik J.
  • a Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1425 N.W. 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, United States
  • b Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1425 N.W. 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, United States
  • c Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1425 N.W. 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, United States
  • d [Affiliation not available]
  • e Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United States

Abstract

This article discusses the challenges that Hispanic immigrant families face and reviews the potential negative consequences of these challenges for Hispanic adolescents. The article outlines the theoretical background, goals, and intervention components of Familias Unidas, a substance-abuse-prevention program for poor immigrant Hispanic adolescents and their parents. Familias Unidas is an ecodevelopmentally based, parentcentered intervention delivered by way of parent participatory-learning groups, parent-adolescent discussion circles, and periodic home visits. Through participation in Familias Unidas, parents acquire skills for communicating with and supporting their adolescents, managing adolescent behavior problems, and becoming actively involved in their adolescents ' social and academic lives, all of which are protective against substance abuse. This article delineates the key intervention principles of Familias Unidas that increase parental involvement and collaboration within the adolescents' family, school, and peer worlds and, as a result, improve adolescents' functioning in these areas.

Author Keywords

Hispanic Substance abuse Immigrant Adolescent prevention Family

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0242318748&doi=10.1177%2f0739986303259355&partnerID=40&md5=275a1ec589a9911daa549e7dd275c471
DOI: 10.1177/0739986303259355
ISSN: 07399863
Cited by: 72
Original Language: English