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Abstract
The current study investigates predictors of a full dose of prevention in a trial of the StrongAfrican American Families (SAAF) substance use prevention program. Predictors included
socioeconomic disadvantage, caregiver depression, family disorganization, youth vulnerability
for problem behavior, and community disadvantage. SAAF includes an ecologically appropriate
curriculum and a comprehensive set of engagement procedures. A full dose was operationalized
as attendance of at least 5 of 7 sessions. Logistic structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed no
evidence of the tested factors predicting an incomplete dose. However, family disorganization
was associated positively with dose, controlling for all other factors. Moreover, the interaction of
youth vulnerability for problem behavior and community disorder positively predicted dose.
Findings may suggest that ecologically sensitive engagement protocols and curricula may
obviate the influence of certain barriers to participation. This conclusion requires replication and
confirmation with experimental manipulation of engagement protocols.
INDEX WORDS: Family-Centered Prevention, Program Dose, Barriers to Attendance,
Ecologically Sensitive Curricula