Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Tinkering with Perfection: Theory Development in the Intervention Cultural Adaptation Field

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Child & Youth Care Forum Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Testing evidence-based interventions (EBIs) outside of their home country has become increasingly commonplace. There is a need for theoretically guided research on how to best create and test the effects of culturally adapted interventions.

Objective

To illustrate how the field might raise the scientific and practical value of future effectiveness and dissemination trials of culturally adapted interventions, as well as to provide support for theoretically informed research on this subject to take greater root.

Methods

Nine theories that offer guidance on how to adapt existing EBIs for a new cultural group were summarized and evaluated.

Results

Commonalities among the selected theories included a focus on the need for collaboration as part of the adaptation process and shared emphasis on taking systematic steps to select an intervention to adapt, as well as calls for adaptations to be guided by specific types of empirical studies. Among the theories, variability existed in terms of what constituted an adaptation.

Conclusions

As EBIs go global, intervention adaptation promises to be the subject of substantial future scholarly attention. There is a need to develop systematic evidence-based methods that allow for some degree of adaptation, while still bringing about EBIs’ desired benefits.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. Cultural groups “…transcend individuals’ idiosyncrasies such that an ‘outsider’ could reliably identify observed patterns of behavior” (Domenech Rodríguez et al. 2011, pp. 172–173). Not all theories described in this commentary have conceptualized the new target group for an intervention as a cultural group, and in some cases have viewed the new group in terms of race or ethnicity. Instead of racial or ethnic groups, in this commentary, we used the term cultural group because of its conceptual precision and potential for wide generalizability.

  2. Our use of the term deep structure was based on the conceptualization of Resnicow et al. (2000) and was viewed as similar to what other scholars have called an intervention’s theory of change, core components, or program theory. Our use of the term deep structure was also similar to McKleroy and associates’ (2006) use of the term internal logic which in their words was”···the explanation of the relationships among intervention activities, behavioral determinants, and the intended outcome(s) of the intervention (p. 62).

References

  • Ahluwalia, J. S., Harris, K. J., Catley, D., Okuyemi, K. S., & Mayo, M. S. (2002). Sustained-release bupropion for smoking cessation in African Americans: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 288, 468–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, D., Coombes, L. C., & Foxcroft, D. R. (2007). Cultural accommodation of the strengthening families programme 10–14: UK phase I study. Health Education Research, 22(4), 547–560.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Andrée Löfholm, C., Olsson, T., Sundell, K., & Hansson, K. (2009). Multisystemic therapy with conduct disordered youth: Stability of treatment outcomes two years after intake. Evidence & Policy, 5, 373–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrée Löfholm, C., Brännström, L., Olsson, T., & Hansson, K. (2011). Treatment as usual in different contexts: Results of TAU effectiveness studies. Article submitted for publication.

  • Barrera, M., & Castro, F. G. (2006). A heuristic framework for the cultural adaptation of interventions. Clinical Psychology: Science & Practice, 13(4), 311–316.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barrera, M., Jr., Toobert, D., Strycker, L., & Osuna, D. (2011). Effects of acculturation on a culturally adapted diabetes intervention for Latinas. Health Psychology. Advance online publication. doi:10.1037/a0025205.

  • Berkel, C., Mauricio, A. M., Schoenfelder, E., & Sandler, I. N. (2011). Putting the pieces together: An integrated model of program implementation. Prevention Science, 12, 23–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernal, G., Bonilla, J., & Bellido, C. (1995). Ecological validity and cultural sensitivity for outcome research: Issues for cultural adaptation and development of psychosocial treatments with Hispanics. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 23, 67–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bernal, G., Jiménez-Chafey, M. I., & Rodríguez, M. M. D. (2009). Cultural adaptation of treatments: A resource for considering culture in evidence-based practice. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40, 361–368.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blakely, C. H., Mayer, J. P., Gottschalk, R. G., Schmitt, N., Davidson, W. S., Roitman, D. B., et al. (1987). The fidelity adaptation debate: Implications for the implementation of public sector social programs. American Journal of Community Psychology, 15, 253–268.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Botvin, G. J., Dusenbury, L., Baker, E., James-Ortiz, S., Botvin, E. M., & Kerner, J. (1992). Smoking prevention among urban minority youth: Assessing effects on outcome and mediating variables. Health Psychology, 11(5), 290–299.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, F. G., Barrera, M., Jr., & Martinez, C. R., Jr. (2004). The cultural adaptation of prevention interventions: Resolving tensions between fidelity and fit. Prevention Science, 5, 41–45.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, F. G., Barrera, M., Jr., & Holleran Steiker, L. K. (2010). Issues and challenges in design of culturally adapted evidence-based interventions. Annual Reviews of Clinical Psychology, 6, 213–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Derzon, J. H., Sale, E., Springer, J. F., & Brounstein, P. (2005). Estimating intervention effectiveness: Synthetic projection of field evaluation results. The Journal of Primary Prevention, 26, 321–343.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Domenech Rodríguez, M. M., Baumann, A. A., & Schwartz, A. L. (2011). Cultural adaptation of an evidence-based intervention: From theory to practice in a Latino/a community context. American Journal of Community Psychology, 47, 170–186.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Domenech-Rodríguez, M., & Wieling, E. (2004). Developing culturally appropriate, evidence-based treatments for interventions with ethnic minority populations. In M. Rastogi & E. Wieling (Eds.), Voices of color: First-person accounts of ethnic minority therapists (pp. 313–333). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • DuBois, D. L., Holloway, B. E., Valentine, J. C., & Cooper, H. (2002). Effectiveness of mentoring programs for youth: A meta analytic review. American Journal of Community Psychology, 30, 157–198.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Durlak, J., & DuPre, E. (2008). Implementation matters: A review of research on the influence of implementation on program outcomes and the factors affecting implementation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 41, 327–350.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott, D. S., & Mihalic, S. (2004). Issues in disseminating and replicating effective prevention programs. Prevention Science, 5, 47–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fairchild, A. J., & MacKinnon, D. P. (2009). A general model for testing mediation and moderation effects. Prevention Science, 10, 87–99.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrer-Wreder, L., & Sundell, K. (in press). Evaluating imported evidence-based interventions. In K. Sundell & M. Forster (Eds.), The evaluation of psychosocial and educational interventions: A handbook. Stockholm: The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare.

  • Fixsen, D. L, Naoom, S. F., Blase, K. A., Friedman, R. M., & Wallace, F. (2005). Implementation research: A synthesis of the literature. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, The National Implementation Research Network (FMHI Publication #231).

  • Harris, K. J., Ahluwalia, J. S., Okuyemi, K. S., Turner, J. R., Woods, M. N., Backinger, C. L., et al. (2001). Addressing cultural sensitivity in a smoking cessation intervention: Development of the kick it at Swope project. Journal of Community Psychology, 29(4), 447–458.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Henggeler, S. W., & Schaeffer, C. M. (2010). Treating serious emotional and behavioural problems using multisystemic therapy. ANZJFT Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy, 31(2), 149–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr, D. M., Kent, L., & Lam, T. C. M. (1985). Measuring program implementation with a classroom observation instrument: The interactive teaching map. Evaluation Review, 9, 461–482.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., Alvarado, R., Smith, P., & Bellamy, N. (2002). Cultural sensitivity and adaptation in family-based prevention interventions. Prevention Science, 3(3), 241–246.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., Pinyuchon, M., Teixeriade de Melo, A., & Whiteside, H. O. (2008). Cultural adaptation process for international dissemination of the strengthening families program. Evaluation & The Health Professions, 31, 226–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kumpfer, K. L., Xie, J., & O’Driscoll, R. (2012). Effectiveness of a culturally adapted Strengthening Families Program 12-16 Years for high risk Irish families. Child and Youth Care Forum. doi:10.1007/s10566-011-9168-0.

  • Latham, T. P., Sales, J. M., Boyce, L. S., Renfro, T. L., Wingood, G. M., DiClemente, R. J., et al. (2010). Application of ADAPT-ITT: Adapting an evidence-based HIV prevention intervention for incarcerated African American adolescent females. Health Promotion Practice, 11(3), 53S–60S.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lau, A. S. (2006). Making the case for selective and directed cultural adaptations of evidence-based treatments: Examples from parent training. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 13, 295–310.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matos, M., Torres, R., Santiago, R., Jurado, M., & Rodrı′guez, I. (2006). Adaptation of parent child interaction therapy for Puerto Rican families: A preliminary study. Family Process, 45, 205–222.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGraw, S., Sellers, D., Stone, E., Bebchuk, J., Edmundson, E., Johnson, C., et al. (1996). Using process data to explain outcomes: An illustration from the child and adolescent trial for cardiovascular health (CATCH). Evaluation Review, 20, 291–312.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McKleroy, V., Galbraith, J., Cummings, B., Jones, P., Gelaude, D., & Carey, J. (2006). Adapting evidence-based behavioral interventions for new settings and target populations. AIDS Education Prevention, 18(4 Suppl. A), 59–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nicolas, G., Arntz, D. L., Hirsch, B., & Schmiedigen, A. (2009). Cultural adaptation of a group treatment for Haitian American adolescents. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 40, 378–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ogden, T., & Hagen, K. A. (2006). Multisystemic therapy of serious behavior problems in youth: Sustainability of therapy effectiveness two years after intake. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 11, 142–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Orte, C., Touza, C., Ballester, L., & March, M. (2008). Children of drug-dependent parents: Prevention programme outcomes. Educational Research, 50(3), 249–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osuna, D., Barrera, M., Strycker, L. A., Toobert, D. J., Glasgow, R. E., Geno, C. R., et al. (2011). Methods for the cultural adaptation of a diabetes lifestyle intervention for Latinas: An illustrative project. Health Promotion Practice, 12(3), 341–348.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Resnicow, K., Soler, R., Braithwaite, R. L., Ahluwalia, J. S., & Butler, J. (2000). Cultural sensitivity in substance use prevention. Journal of Community Psychology, 28(3), 271–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ringwalt, C. L., Vincus, A., Ennett, S., Johnson, R., & Rohrbach, L. A. (2004). Reasons for teachers’ adaptation of substance use prevention curricula in schools with non-White student populations. Prevention Science, 5(1), 61–67.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, E. M. (1995). Diffusion of innovations (4th ed.). New York, NY: Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosselló, J., & Bernal, G. (1999). The efficacy of cognitive—behavioral and interpersonal treatments for depression in Puerto Rican adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67, 734–745.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rosselló, J., Bernal, G., & Rivera-Medina, C. (2008). Randomized trial of CBT and IPT in individual and group format for depression in Puerto Rican adolescents. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 14, 234–245.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schoenwald, S. K., Heiblum, N., Saldana, L., & Henggeler, S. W. (2008). The international implementation of multisystemic therapy. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 31, 211–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skärstrand, E., Larsson, J., & Andréasson, S. (2008). Cultural adaptation of the strengthening families programme to a Swedish setting. Health Education, 108, 287–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skärstrand, E., Sundell, K., & Andréasson, S. (in prep). Evaluation of a Swedish version of the strengthening families programme: Three-year outcome of a cluster randomized trial.

  • Smith, J. D., Schneider, B. H., Smith, P. K., & Ananiadou, K. (2004). The effectiveness of whole-school antibullying programs: A synthesis of evaluation research. School Psychology Review, 33, 547–560.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. B., Domenech Rodríguez, M. M., & Bernal, G. (2011). Culture. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67, 166–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sundell, K. & Ferrer-Wreder, L. (2011). The globalization of empirically supported interventions. A. Shlonsky (Ed.), Using evidence in child welfare. Chapter submitted for publication.

  • Sundell, K., Hansson, K., Andrée Löfholm, C., Olsson, T., Gustle, L.-H., & Kadesjö, C. (2008). Multisystemic Therapy and traditional services for antisocial adolescents in Sweden. Results from a randomized controlled trial after six months. Journal of Family Psychology, 22, 550–560.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (2011). Svensk och internationell forskning om sociala interventioners effekter [English: Swedish and international research on the effects of social interventions]. Stockholm: Author.

  • Tobler, N. S. (1986). Meta-analysis of 143 adolescent drug prevention programs: Quantitative outcome results of program participants compared to a control or comparison group. Journal of Drug Issues, 16, 537–567.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toobert, D. J., Strycker, L. A., Barrera, M., Osuna, D., King, D. K., & Glasgow, R. E. (2011). Outcomes from a multiple risk factor diabetes self-management trial for Latinas: ¡Viva bien! Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 41(3), 310–323.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Weisz, J. R., Sandler, I. N., Durlak, J. A., & Anton, B. S. (2005). Promoting and protecting youth mental health through evidence-based prevention and treatment. American Psychologist, 60(6), 628–648.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, S. J., Lipsey, M. W., & Derzon, J. H. (2003). The effects of school-based intervention programs on aggressive behavior: A meta-analysis. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 136–149.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wingood, G. M., & DiClemente, R. J. (2008). The ADAPT-ITT model: A model for adapting evidence-based HIV interventions. Journal of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, 47(Suppl. 1), S40–S46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden

    Laura Ferrer-Wreder & Shahram Mansoory

  2. Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare, Stockholm, Sweden

    Knut Sundell

Authors
  1. Laura Ferrer-Wreder
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Knut Sundell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Shahram Mansoory
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Laura Ferrer-Wreder.

Additional information

The authors found no conflict of interest between themselves and any organization that may be affected by the publication of this article.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ferrer-Wreder, L., Sundell, K. & Mansoory, S. Tinkering with Perfection: Theory Development in the Intervention Cultural Adaptation Field. Child Youth Care Forum 41, 149–171 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-011-9162-6

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10566-011-9162-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation