Culturally sensitive treatment for underrepresented adolescents with substance use: A systematic review

This article presents a systematic review of culturally adapted interventions targeting substance use disorders among underrepresented adolescents. The systematic review included Randomized Controlled Trials conducted with adolescents with substance use-related problems, implemented in the U.S. between January 2017 and February 2022; interventions not tailored explicitly for underserved populations were excluded from this review. The studies were analyzed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool. Also, the effect size reported for each outcome measurement was included, or if not reported, was calculated using the Psychometrika effect size calculator. The search yielded seven studies, and culturally adapted interventions performed significantly better than comparison conditions. Cultural adaptation appears to enhance the effectiveness of treatments for underserved adolescent populations with substance use problems. Results are discussed regarding the approaches to cultural adaptation, the social implications of alcohol use among Hispanic/Latine adolescents, cigarette use, incorporating family components in treatment, and other co-occurring risky behaviors