Cultural Adaptation Process of the Strengthening Families Program (10–14) Around the World: an Integrative Review

Abstract

Adapting evidence-based preventive interventions can be an efficient strategy when there are no local interventions with proven effectiveness, but the need for them is urgent. This study aims to investigate, via an integrative review, the cultural adaptation of the Strengthening Families Program (10-14). This intervention is an evidence-based substance abuse prevention program for families with adolescents 10 to 14 years old. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Science Direct. The search was done in November 2019. Six articles were selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Data were analyzed using a previously published coding system for modifications and adaptations of evidence-based interventions. The results showed that the majority of the SFP 10-14 adaptations had been systematically conducted by researchers and that they were focused on the superficial structure and intervention materials. Less common adaptations-of the intervention format and structure-were made by coalitions of stakeholders. Future studies should address the evaluation of family interventions culturally adapted to contexts with scarce resources and analyze their change mechanisms. Keywords Review. Family health. Adolescent health. Evidence-based practice. Prevention Adolescent health is imperiled by several risk behaviors such as self-harm, drunk driving, unprotected sex, and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Health care access, ethnic disparities, identity development, peer influence, and parenting style, among other factors, are important mental-health determinants in this stage of life (Schwartz and Petrova 2019). Fragile bonds, for example a hostile or abusive family environment, further increase vulnerability and contribute to negative adolescent mental-health