Culturally Informed and Flexible Family‐Based Treatment for Adolescents: A Tailored and Integrative Treatment for Hispanic Youth

Abstract

The increasing utilization of evidence-based treatments has highlighted the need for interventions that are effective with Hispanic substance abusing youth and families. The list of evidence-based treatments is limited in its inclusion of interventions that are responsive to the unique characteristics and treatment needs of young Hispanics and that have been tested with this population. Some treatments that have been tested with Hispanics do not articulate the manner in which cultural characteristics and therapy processes interact. Other treatments have emphasized the important role of culture but have not been tested rigorously. The value of well designed interventions built upon an appreciation for unique patient characteristics was highlighted by Beutler et al.,1996 when they argued that "psychotherapy is comprised of a set of complex tasks, and practitioners need comprehensive knowledge of how different processes used in psychotherapy interact with patient characteristics in order to make treatment decisions that will maximize and optimize therapeutic power" (page 30). A focus on how treatment processes interact with patient characteristics is particularly relevant in the Hispanic population because of the considerable heterogeneity beneath the Hispanic umbrella. Our new program of clinical research focuses on articulating how the varied profiles with regard to immigration stressors, acculturation processes, values clashes, sense of belonging to the community, discrimination, and knowledge about issues important to adolescent health, can be more effectively addressed by a culturally informed treatment.

Life experiences of hispanic adolescents: developmental and language considerations in acculturation stress

“…In addition, our findings suggest that bilingual youth living in Spanish-speaking households feel the extra burden of serving as family translators. Serving as family translator has the potential of affecting clear lines of family communication, family roles, and authority (family leader) positions, Previous research has pointed to the impact of intergenerational acculturation differences among substance abusing youth (Santisteban & Mena, 2009). Future research on the impact of language-related stressors on identity development and positive self-esteem are needed.…”

“…For example, it is plausible that Spanish-speaking participants come from less acculturated homes and, therefore, are more likely to experience three generational households, thus taking on the responsibility of caring for their grandparents. Clinically, these culturally based family demands have been discussed as keys to understanding and promoting healthy family systems (Santisteban & Mena, 2009). …”

Self-harm Among Hispanic Adolescents: Investigating the Role of Culture-Related Stressors

“…More recent studies have also explored the impact of immigration-related, acculturation-related, and discrimination-related stressors on mental health outcomes. 15,16,17,18,19 The social environment that Latino adolescents grow up in may also contribute to suicidality. A number of studies have found that Latino adolescents are the target of anti-immigrant and anti-Latino attitudes and negative public references toward their ethnic identity.…”

Mexican American Family’s Perceptions of the Multirelational Influences on Their Adolescent’s Engagement in Substance Use Treatment

“…However, treatment becomes more complicated for Latino families where rules and expectations surrounding treatment-seeking behaviors (Cardona et al, 2009) and culturally specific stressors (Falicov, 2009) are known barriers to successful engagement. Santisteban and Mena (2009) highlighted the need for interventions that take into consideration the unique needs of Hispanic youth when treating substance abuse. Also, Cardona et al (2009) emphasized the importance of utilizing engagement strategies to combat systemic and contextual influences that may prohibit treatment retention.…”