Familias Unidas Program

Summary

Familias Unidas is an evidence-based, parent-centered intervention delivered by non-research personnel to reduce risky adolescent behaviors. In a randomized trial, 746 Hispanic eighth graders received either Familias Unidas or prevention as usual within a pubic school system. Familias Unidas was more effective in preventing drug use and condomless sex from increasing 30 months after baseline relative to prevention as usual. Familias Unidas also improved family functioning.

Overview

Purpose of Intervention:

To reduce health disparities associated with adolescent drug use and sexual risk behaviors among Hispanics

Intervention Type:

Research-Tested — Interventions with strong methodological rigor that have demonstrated short-term or long-term positive effects on one or more targeted health outcomes to improve minority health and/or health disparities through quantitative measures; Studies have a control or comparison group and are published in a peer-review journal; No pilot, demonstration or feasibility studies.

Intervention Details

Intervention was Primarily Driven, Led, or Managed by:

Academic/Clinical Researchers Only

Citations:

Estrada Y, Lee TK, Huang S, Tapia MI, Velázquez MR, Martinez MJ, Pantin H, Ocasio MA, Vidot DC, Molleda L, Villamar J, Stepanenko BA, Brown CH, Prado G. Parent-Centered Prevention of Risky Behaviors Among Hispanic Youths in Florida. American journal of public health. 2017 Apr;107(4):607-613. Epub 2017 Feb 16. PubMed PubMed Central DOI
Relevance: Main Intervention, Post-Intervention Outcomes
Prado G, Cordova D, Huang S, Estrada Y, Rosen A, Bacio GA, Leon Jimenez G, Pantin H, Brown CH, Velazquez MR, Villamar J, Freitas D, Tapia MI, McCollister K. The efficacy of Familias Unidas on drug and alcohol outcomes for Hispanic delinquent youth: main effects and interaction effects by parental stress and social support. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2012 Sep;125 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S18-25. Epub 2012 Jul 7. PubMed PubMed Central DOI
Relevance: Post-Intervention Outcomes
Prado G, Fernandez A, St George SM, Lee TK, Lebron C, Tapia MI, Velazquez MR, Messiah SE. Results of a Family-Based Intervention Promoting Healthy Weight Strategies in Overweight Hispanic Adolescents and Parents: An RCT. American journal of preventive medicine. 2020 Nov;59(5):658-668. Epub 2020 Oct 1. PubMed PubMed Central DOI
Relevance: Post-Intervention Outcomes

Adaptation of Another Research-based Intervention:

Yes

Name of Original Intervention:

1.) Familias Unidas for Health and Wellness 2.) eHealth Familias Unidas

URL to original Intervention:

None available

Citations:

Estrada Y, Lee TK, Wagstaff R, M Rojas L, Tapia MI, Velázquez MR, Sardinas K, Pantin H, Sutton MY, Prado G. eHealth Familias Unidas: Efficacy Trial of an Evidence-Based Intervention Adapted for Use on the Internet with Hispanic Families. Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research. 2019 Jan;20(1):68-77. PubMed DOI

Intervention Primary Outcomes were comparable to the original:

Yes

Contact Information

Primary Contact Affiliation:

University of Miami

Intervention URL:

https://www.sonhs.miami.edu/research/familias-unidas

Results

Intentions

Improve minority health or the health of other populations with health disparities (e.g. rural populations, populations with low SES)

Intervention Primary Outcome:

Drug use, sexual risk behaviors

Intervention Secondary Outcome:

Family functioning

Key Findings:

In an effectiveness trial, Familias Unidas was effective in preventing drug use from increasing and prevented greater increases in sex without a condom 30 months after baseline, relative to prevention as usual. Familias Unidas also had a positive impact on family functioning and parental monitoring of peers at six months after baseline.

Statistical Method Used:

Across multiple trials, we use longitudinal growth curve models to analyze the direct effects of the intervention on study outcomes across time. The comparability of study conditions is determined and statistically addressed as needed. Probit distribution is used to take into account count variables and to test for intervention effects on binary outcomes.

Was statistical method used to analyze data from original Intervention comparable to the original:

Yes

Demographic and Implementation Description

Diseases, Disorders, or Conditions:

Substance Use/Abuse, Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV/AIDS, Teen-age Pregnancy/Birth

Race/Ethnicity:

Hispanic or Latino

Populations with Health Disparities:

Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations, Underserved Rural Communities

Age:

Adolescents (10 - 17 years), Young Adults (18 - 39 years), Middle-Aged Adults (40 - 64 years), Older Adults (65+ years)

Characteristics and Implementation

Intervention Focus Area:

Behavior Change

Disease Continuum:

Primary Prevention

Delivery Setting:

Schools / Colleges

Mode of Delivery:

In-person

Who delivered the Intervention?:

Researchers, school social workers/mental health professionals and community mental health professionals

Adaptations and Modifications

Were modifications made?

Intervention Elements	Modified
Content	Yes
Context	Yes
Implementation	No
Funding	No
Organization	No
Participants	No
Providers	Yes
Sociopolitical	No
Stages of Occurrence	Yes

Impact, Lessons, Components

Produced an impact or change beyond the primary or secondary outcome:

Yes

Impact on family functioning, internalizing/externalizing symptoms in certain trials, suicidal ideation

Essential Aspects for Success:

Facilitators must have the ability to engage and connect with participants. It is important to account for cultural variables that are important in Hispanic culture and how that impacts the family.

Products, Materials, and Funding

Please contact researcher for additional materials that are not publicly available.

Expertise, Partnerships, and Funding Sources

	Used for Implementation	Needed for Sustainability
Expertise
Community mobilization, community organization/coalition building	Yes	Yes
Partnerships
Health care facilities (local clinics)	Yes	Yes
Funding Sources
Public funding (e.g., federal, state or local government)	Yes	Yes

Product/Material/Tools

	Tailored For Language	Material
Outreach/Recruitment Tools
None currently used	No	Outreach/Recruitment Tools are not currently used.
Participant Educational Tools
Not currently using, agency specific	No	Participant Educational Tools are not currently used.
Measurement Tools
Agency specific	No	Measurement Tools are available by contacting the researcher.

Implementation Materials and Products

	Material
Implementation/Delivery Materials
Tools not publicly available	https://www.sonhs.miami.edu/research/familias-unidas/index.html
Session outline	Attachment available for request at the bottom of the page.
Implementation/Output Materials
No Implementation/Output Materials provided.

Articles Related to Submitted Intervention

	Article
Reports/Monographs
No Reports/Monographs provided.
Additional Articles
Adaptations	Attachment available for request at the bottom of the page.
Adaptations	Attachment available for request at the bottom of the page.

Materials Available for Request

Table A - Session outline.docx
eHealth Familias Unidas Primary Care.pdf
Ehealth Main Outcome-Estrada.pdf
Ehealth Main Outcome-Estrada.pdf

Intervention IP-090: Familias Unidas Program