A Translational Case Study of a Multisite COVID-19 Public Health Intervention Across Sequenced Research Trials: Embedding Implementation in a Community Engagement Phased Framework.

Through a COVID-19 public health intervention implemented across sequenced research trials, we present a community engagement phased framework that embeds intervention implementation: (1) consultation and preparation, (2) collaboration and implementation, and (3) partnership and sustainment. Intervention effects included mitigation of psychological distress and a 0.28 increase in the Latinx population tested for SARS-CoV-2. We summarize community engagement activities and implementation strategies that took place across the trials to illustrate the value of the framework for public health practice and research. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S5):S396-S401. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307669).

Community Partner Perceptions of Equitable Implementation Practices for a Promotores de Salud Intervention: A Qualitative Assessment.

We conducted focus groups with staff from 5 community-based organizations (21 participants; 86% female, 52% Hispanic/Latino/a/x and 24% Mexican/Mexican American) between August and October 2021. Results highlighted community partner perceptions of practices congruent (e.g., communication that built trust and dismantled power dynamics, a shared mission) and incongruent (e.g., intervention-community misalignment, research driven decision-making) with equitable implementation in the development, implementation, and evaluation of a promotores de salud intervention to increase COVID-19 testing and preventive behaviors among Latinx communities in Oregon. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S5):S377-S383. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2024.307686).

Effects of a Health Education Intervention for COVID-19 Prevention in Latinx Communities: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

To promote COVID-19 preventive attitudes and behaviors among Latinx individuals, researchers and community partners implemented a culturally tailored health education intervention across 12 Oregon counties from February 2021 through April 2022. We did not identify any significant intervention effects on preventive attitudes and behaviors but did observe significant decreases in psychological distress. Although Latinx individuals' preventive attitudes and behaviors were not associated with the health education intervention, findings suggest the intervention has value in promoting their well-being (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04793464). (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(S9):S923-S927. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307129).

Development and design of a culturally tailored intervention to address COVID-19 disparities among Oregon's Latinx communities: A community case study.

Background: Latinx communities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 compared with non-Latinx White communities in Oregon and much of the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic presents a critical and urgent need to reach Latinx communities with innovative, culturally tailored outreach and health promotion interventions to reduce viral transmission and address disparities. The aims of this case study are to (1) outline the collaborative development of a culturally and trauma-informed COVID-19 preventive intervention for Latinx communities; (2) describe essential intervention elements; and (3) summarize strengths and lessons learned for future applications. Methods: Between June 2020 and January 2021, a multidisciplinary team of researchers and Latinx-serving partners engaged in the following intervention development activities: a scientific literature review, a survey of 67 Latinx residents attending public testing events, interviews with 13 leaders of community-based organizations serving Latinx residents, and bi-weekly consultations with the project's Public Health and Community Services Team and a regional Community and Scientific Advisory Board. After launching the intervention in the field in February 2021, bi-weekly meetings with interventionists continuously informed minor iterative refinements through present day. Results: The resulting intervention, Promotores de Salud, includes outreach and brief health education. Bilingual, trauma-informed trainings and materials reflect the lived experiences, cultural values, needs, and concerns of Latinx communities. Interventionists (21 Promotores) were Latinx residents from nine Oregon counties where the intervention was delivered. Conclusions: Sharing development and intervention details with public health researchers and practitioners facilitates intervention uptake and replication to optimize the public health effect in Oregon's Latinx communities and beyond.

"Never give up. Fight for what you believe in": Perceptions of how Latina/o adolescents can make a difference.

OBJECTIVE: Latina/o adolescents have been described as less likely to participate in volunteer and civic activities relative to other youth. The present study elicited Latina/o youths' own views of how they can make a difference in their communities. METHOD: Latina/o high school students (N = 686; one third males; Mage = 16.3, SD = 1.2) responded in writing to the open-ended question, "How do you think that Latina and Latino young people can make a difference in our communities?" Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Four categories (community, education, advocacy, and culture) emerged from the data, with 2 to 7 themes within each category, reflecting diverse and robust pathways by which Latina/o youth believe they can make a difference. We explore these results with respect to types of civic engagement, sociopolitical development, and manifestations of the components of critical consciousness: critical reflection, critical agency, and critical action. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of Latina/o youth civic engagement should be expanded to better reflect Latina/o youth agency, contributions, and assets. In particular, educational persistence and cultural pride may be seen as forms of resistance reflective of sociopolitical civic engagement (Checkoway & Aldana, 2013). Responses manifest components of the developmental asset of critical consciousness. Schools and communities should recognize, affirm, and support the pathways by which Latina/o youth contribute and build their efficacy for such engagement. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Sociodemographic differences in parental satisfaction with an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: The diagnostic process for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be difficult for families. Growing evidence suggests that the diagnostic process may vary as a function of sociodemographic factors, such as socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to extend findings related to families' experiences obtaining a diagnosis and accessing services for their young child with ASD. METHOD: A mixed methods approach was used in this study, in which 46 families with children with ASD participated. A chi-square analysis compared ratings of parental satisfaction with the diagnostic process and current services between sociodemographic groups, and this was supplemented by thematic analysis of relevant open-ended questions. RESULTS: Results indicated that satisfaction ratings varied significantly by maternal education and family income levels. Ratings of satisfaction with the child's paediatrician also differed by family income. Major themes from the open-ended questions are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Results support assessing satisfaction and barriers in families seeking healthcare and school-based services to facilitate access to services.

Application of the Future Expectation Scale for Adolescents (FESA) in Brazil / Aplicação da Escala de Expectativas Futuras para Adolescentes (FESA) no Brasil

This exploratory study analyzed the factor structure of the Future Expectation Scale for Adolescents (FESA) in a Brazilian sample of emerging and young adults to determine its utility for research and clinical use in Brazil. The sample included 547 young adults, ranging from 18-29 years old (M = 22; SD = 3.9), from different socioeconomic status and 351 (64.2%) females. Results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis revealed that the original model found for the FESA did not fit the Brazilian sample well. Therefore, a subsequent Exploratory Factor Analysis was performed with the 24 self-reported FESA items. Results demonstrated a cohesive factor structure for the FESA, but the factor structure was different from the original. For instance, items belonging to the original factor 'Marriage and Family' loaded better with the original factor 'Children's Future,' which was renamed 'Children and Family.' The original factor 'Church and Community' was slightly different and was renamed 'Church' to be consistent with the Brazilian context. The factor structure of the FESA was consistent and the measure was found to be useful for further studies in this area. (AU)

Este estudo exploratório analisou a estrutura fatorial da Escala de Expectativas Futuras de Adolescentes (FESA) em uma amostra brasileira de jovens adultos (n= 547), 64,1% do sexo feminino, com idades entre 18 e 29 anos (M = 22; DP = 3,9), de diferentes níveis socioeconômicos, a fim de determinar a utilidade da escala para fins de pesquisa e aplicação clínica no Brasil. Resultados da Análise Fatorial Confirmatória revelaram que o modelo original do FESA não se adequou bem à amostra brasileira. Posteriormente, uma Análise Fatorial Exploratória foi realizada com os 24 itens do FESA. Os resultados mostraram que o FESA apresentou uma estrutura fatorial coesa, mas diferente da original. Por exemplo, itens que pertenciam originalmente ao fator 'Casamento e Família' carregaram mais satisfatoriamente no fator 'Futuro das crianças' que foi, então, renomeado como 'Crianças e Família'. O fator original 'Igreja e Comunidade' apresentou breves mudanças e foi renomeado como 'Igreja', a fim de harmonizar com o contexto brasileiro. A estrutura fatorial do FESA mostrou-se consistente e a medida foi considerada útil para futuras pesquisas nesta área. (AU)

Measuring help-seeking behaviors: factor structure, reliability, and validity among youth with disabilities.

Existing measures of help-seeking focus on assessing attitudes and beliefs, rather than specific behaviors, toward help-seeking. This study described the development of a self-report measure of informal help-seeking behaviors (HSB). Participants were 228 high school students (148 males, 80 females) with disabilities from four states. Factor analyses revealed three underlying factors, each addressing a different source of help: parent, peer, and teacher. The HSB had good internal reliability and moderate validity. Results from regression analyses suggested that help-seeking behaviors toward parents and teachers contributed uniquely to students' self-ratings of school bonding, life satisfaction, and career outcome expectations. Help-seeking behaviors toward peers was a negative predictor of career outcome expectations. The value of the HSB as a research instrument was discussed.

¿Y ahora qué? Anticipated immigration status barriers and Latina/o high school students' future expectations.

Latina/o high school students without documentation face a challenging situation when they graduate from high school, with pathways to work and postsecondary education stymied by their immigration status. We examined the effects of anticipated barriers associated with immigration status, age, and sex on the dependent variables of vocational outcome expectations, anticipated external and internal barriers, and postsecondary schooling plans in a sample of 475 Latina/o high school students. Findings include that students anticipating immigration status problems had lower vocational outcome expectations and anticipated more external barriers to pursuing their postsecondary plans. Latina girls and older high school students anticipating immigration status problems were more likely to plan to attend 2-year rather than 4-year colleges, and less likely to plan on postsecondary education, respectively. Implications for practice, policy, and research are discussed.