Effectiveness of the coping power program in a Mexican-American sample: distinctive cultural considerations

Abstract

This study responds to the challenges associated with delivering culturally sensitive and evidence-based treatment (EBT) to at-risk children. Current research supports group interventions based on the Coping Power Program (CPP) curriculum as EBT for improving the frequency of positive behaviors in children and adolescents. However, the effectiveness of the CPP in a Mexican-American sample has not been explored to date. This study investigated the effectiveness of the CPP delivered as a preventative intervention to Mexican-American adolescents in a rural school setting. A major emphasis is put on cultural sensitivity when working with this population. Cultural sensitivity is expressed by minor adaptations of the CPP. The adaptations consisted of modifying treatment content, providing culturally relevant examples, contextualizing content and so forth, while maintaining program value. Our hypothesis was that when using the adapted EBT curriculum on the Mexican-American subsample, both groups would have similar scores and retention rates. As hypothesized, no significant differences were found between the two treatment groups (non-adapted EBT European-American and adapted EBT Mexican-American). Overall, the results suggest that EBT interventions for at-risk Mexican-American youth might require cultural adaptation in order to maximize its effectiveness.