RESUMO
Padres Preparados, Jóvenes Saludables was a Latino family-based obesity prevention intervention implemented from 2017 to 2020 across eight programs in-person only, in a blended format (online/in-person), and online only. The intervention aimed to enhance father parenting skills to improve adolescent diet and activity behaviors. Mothers were encouraged to attend. Factors associated with participation were explored using a mixed-methods, qualitative (focus group/individual interviews by Zoom) and quantitative (process evaluation) design. Eleven focus group and 24 individual interviews were completed after participation with 24 fathers, 27 mothers, and 40 adolescents with responses not sorted by delivery method before analysis. Binomial logistic regression models examined associations between fathers' program completion and predictor variables of delivery characteristics, father demographic characteristics, and family attendance patterns. Parents were married (96% fathers, 76% mothers), had low income, a high school education or less (68% fathers, 81% mothers), and had lived in the United States a mean of 19 years. Parents were motivated to participate to improve health, and to be involved with and improve communication with their child. Common barriers to participation were work and life priorities and programmatic factors including scheduling conflicts and technological issues. Participation was greater for fathers attending sessions in-person compared with online only (OR = 11.6). Fathers were more likely to participate if they attended sessions with family members vs. not attending with family members (OR = 7.2). To maximize participation, findings suggest involving multiple parents/caregivers and adolescents, addressing contextual and programmatic barriers, and promoting benefits of better health and relations with family members.
RESUMO
Adolescent years are a time of joy and can represent a challenge for parents and youth, especially for immigrants to the US who are adjusting to their host country. Programs focusing on family skills and positive youth development (PYD) can contribute to youth wellbeing especially, however, few exist for low-income immigrant families. (1) Background: The major goals of this project are to strengthen both PYD and healthy parenting practices by implementing an evidence-informed program, Familias Activas. A theory of change guided the development of Familias Activas in which three factors: parent training, positive youth development, and youth physical activity sessions (soccer) aimed to improve Latinx youth mental health. Youth participated in weekly soccer practices led by trained soccer coaches while parents/caregivers attended parent education. Both sessions lasted eight weeks. (2) Method: We describe the formative stage of the research project as well as the pilot implementation of the Familias Activas program, which provides critical insights for the development of a PYD program. (3) Results: Evaluation surveys were administered to youth and their parents. Thirty youths and sixteen parents completed the survey. The Kidscreen scale had a mean for most items ranging from 3.6 to 4.2. Participating youth were 11 years old and most affirmed they were Latinx. The feasibility program quality mean was 4.2 indicating an overall positive result for the pilot program.. Implications of PYD programs for Latinx youth are discussed. (4) Conclusions: The current paper presents a model for positively influencing the physical and mental wellbeing of Latinx youth and their parents. The model is culturally responsive in its involvement of both parents and youth in programming.