Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
Volume 25, Issue 5, 2018, Pages 396-406

Community-based participatory research to promote healthy lifestyles among Latino immigrant families with youth with disabilities (Article)

Suarez-Balcazar Y.* , Early A. , Maldonado A. , Garcia C.P. , Arias D. , Zeidman A. , Agudelo-Orozco A.
  • a Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA, United States
  • b Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA, United States
  • c Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA, United States
  • d Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA, United States
  • e Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA, United States
  • f Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA, United States
  • g Universidad Del Valle, Cali, Colombia

Abstract

Background/Aims: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is an optimal approach that brings together community stakeholders, researchers and practitioners in an effort to understand and address social issues and health disparities experienced by vulnerable populations. Latino immigrant families in the United States with youth and young families with disabilities have experienced a number of barriers in gaining positive health outcomes. These families face challenges in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, placing them at high risk for obesity, diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. The purpose of this study was to develop a healthy lifestyles intervention in collaboration with Latino immigrant families with youth and young adults with disabilities using a CBPR approach, and to examine the impact of the intervention from participants’ perspectives. Methods: Grounded in the principles of CBPR, we developed a partnership with community stakeholders to create a healthy lifestyles intervention aimed at meeting the needs of Latino families in the United States. During and following implementation of the intervention, we conducted focus groups with 12 intervention participants to examine the impact of the intervention. Results: Participants identified the intervention program as meeting a need in the community and reported specific positive aspects related to health behaviors, social learning, inclusion, community participation, and peer advocacy. Discussion: CBPR healthy lifestyle interventions are relevant to the needs of Latino immigrant families with youth and young adults with disabilities. Health professionals should involve community residents in the design of healthy lifestyles programming to ensure strategies for change are relevant and relatable. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

Disability Latino health disparities Participatory research

Index Keywords

information processing social learning healthy lifestyle health promotion Disabled Persons human Health Behavior disabled person procedures Hispanic Americans United States Young Adult Humans migrant Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female community participation peer group participatory research Community-Based Participatory Research Focus Groups Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85054410706&doi=10.1080%2f11038128.2018.1502348&partnerID=40&md5=e44b73080f9607f339da8d00ec5df3fc
DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2018.1502348
ISSN: 11038128
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English