Search

Background: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are one of the fastest‐growing populations in the United States, yet these communities comprise less than one percent of participants in NIH's Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD) clinical research. This underrepresentation is due to numerous barriers well‐documented in the literature, with a key deterrent being a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach materials. This abstract presents findings from focus groups conducted by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to identify culturally and linguistically appropriate message concepts that raise awareness, address barriers and motivate Asian American and Pacific Islanders to consider participation in AD/ADRD research studies. Method: Eighteen virtual focus groups (N = 103 individuals) were conducted with Chinese Americans, Filipino Americans, and Indian Americans who are at‐risk for AD/ADRD or are caregivers to people living with dementia. Focus groups were conducted in Chinese, Hindi, Tagalog and English. The sessions tested multiple audience‐tailored message concepts designed to increase interest and encourage participation in AD/ADRD clinical research. These discussions also examined participants' preferred language, terminology and communication approaches. Result: Overall, message concepts that 1) emphasized the value of caring for family members; 2) offered a sense of hope; 3) communicated a clear call to action; and 4) provided opportunities to learn more information about clinical research resonated across all groups. Between participant audiences, there were some important differences, including around terminology preferences. For example, Chinese‐American participants expressed concern about the term "caregiver" as it implied that taking care of a loved one was a burden or a professional job, rather than a familial responsibility. Concept visuals will be presented. Conclusion: This research conducted by NIA improves our understanding of messaging concepts that do and do not resonate with AAPI, providing valuable insight into themes that should be leveraged to effectively promote awareness about AD/ADRD clinical research with these communities. The finding from this study were used to develop, finalize and make available to the research community a suite of culturally and linguistically appropriate materials to increase awareness and interest in AD/ADRD clinical research among AAPI communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Family-centered substance use treatment (FCSUT) may have benefits for parents, children, and their families, and have the potential to decrease adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Few treatment programs use FCSUT, even those that aim to serve pregnant and postpartum people., Objectives: To understand how families are integrated into FCSUT services for pregnant and postpartum people, explore the perceived benefits of FCSUT for families and parents, and identify challenges to implementing FCSUT., Participants and Settings: Interviews with 26 administrators and providers working at FCSUT facilities and 27 pregnant and postpartum people who were currently receiving or had previously received services in the last two years from FCSUT facilities., Methods: A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using data from semi-structured in-depth interviews., Results: The analysis revealed four themes: (1) the importance of families in treatment and recovery; (2) benefits of FCSUT for parents; (3) benefits of FCSUT for families; and (4) additional areas for FCSUT program growth. Despite reported benefits (e.g., improving parenting and communication skills; promoting healthy relationships with children, partners, and other family members; and facilitating a support system for long-term recovery), facilities and families face challenges integrating whole family units into treatment., Conclusions: FCSUT may offer a range of benefits to pregnant and postpartum people and their families. Addressing challenges, such as fully integrating all family members into treatment, may improve FCSUT programs. Meeting the needs of all family members during treatment supports safe, stable, and nurturing relationships and environments for children that may decrease ACEs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest Funding support for this project was provided by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through a contract to Fors Marsh Group, LLC, Contract Number 47QRAD21DU200, OMB Control Numbers 0920-1154 and 0990-0421., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)