A randomized controlled trial of Familias Unidas for Hispanic adolescents with behavior problems.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of Familias Unidas, a Hispanic-specific, parent-centered intervention, in preventing/reducing adolescent substance use, unsafe sexual behavior, and externalizing disorders.


METHODS
A total of 213 8th grade Hispanic adolescents with behavior problems and their primary caregivers were assigned randomly to one of two conditions: Familias Unidas or Community Control. Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6, 18, and 30 months post baseline.


RESULTS
Results showed that, relative to a Community Control condition, Familias Unidas was efficacious in preventing or reducing externalizing disorders, preventing and reducing substance use, and in reducing unsafe sexual behavior. The effects of Familias Unidas on these outcomes were partially mediated by improvements in family functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that parent-centered intervention is an efficacious strategy for preventing/reducing specific health risk behaviors in Hispanic adolescents with behavior problems.
Pantin
Hilda
H
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1425 N.W. 10 Ave., 3 floor, Miami, FL 33136, USA. hpantin@med.miami.edu
Prado
Guillermo
G
Lopez
Barbara
B
Huang
Shi
S
Tapia
Maria I
MI
Schwartz
Seth J
SJ
Sabillon
Eduardo
E
Brown
C Hendricks
CH
Branchini
Jennifer
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D047568:Unsafe Sex / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology