Culturally Sensitive Interventions and Health and Behavioral Health Youth Outcomes: A Meta-Analytic Review

Abstract

Despite Census Bureau projections that youth from minority cultures will comprise the majority of the nation's youth in approximately a decade, little research has been conducted on culturally sensitive interventions (CSIs). Accordingly, this study sought to determine: (1) the effectiveness of CSIs designed to address health and behavioral health outcomes, (2) whether effectiveness varies depending on the class or type of outcome, and (3) whether race/ethnicity moderates effectiveness. The results suggest that CSIs (n = 21) are modestly effective (Hedges' g = .239, 95% C.I. = .139 to .339, p < .001). Effectiveness did not vary significantly by outcome class or by race/ethnicity. Especially in the latter case, however, the pattern of point estimates raises the possibility of moderation with an increase in power. Suggestions for future research conclude the article.

The Contribution of Cultural Competence to Evidence-Based Care for Ethnically Diverse Populations

“…To assess this possibility, we reviewed four additional meta-analyses that compared outcomes across two or more ethnic minority groups. Two compared outcomes across four groups (Griner & Smith 2006, and the others compared outcomes for black and Latino participants (Hodge et al 2010a;Huey & Polo 2008). Generally, no ethnic differences in treatment outcomes were found, although one meta-analysis (Smith et al 2011) showed that Asian Americans benefited more from psychotherapy than did African Americans, Latinos, and Native Americans (Figure 4).…”

Universal school-based mental health programmes for multicultural contexts: insights and potential for cultivating safe, socially inclusive schools

“…Although the systematic adaptation and evaluation of whole school mental health promotion interventions do not have the same rich legacy of research, 'surface' and 'deep' considerations may operate here as well. Recent reviews of culturally sensitive interventions show some promising results in terms of effectiveness for Hispanic, African or First Nations American youth (Hodge, Jackson, & Vaughn, 2010;Huey & Polo, 2008;Jani, Ortiz, & Aranda, 2009). They indicate that cognitive, motivational and ecological qualities can enter a programme, such as local experiences and 'knowledges'.…”

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“…While it is unclear whether a culturally appropriate program will be more effective in changing women's drinking behavior during pregnancy (Hawkins et al, 2004;Hodge et al, 2010), the process of engaging the community and gaining feedback on community priorities in the early phases of research was essential. Focus group participants also emphasized the value of cultural appropriateness, saying that interventions, including the language within them, must be understandable to the average community member and delivered only after consulting with tribal members.…”