Ervin Briones - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Ervin Briones

Research paper thumbnail of Education for Democracy: A co-constructivist perspective = Educación para la democracia: una perspectiva constructivista

Teoria De La Educacion, 1993

... STEVEN BERMAN JAMIE WANDERMAN ERVIN BRIONES LILIANA WOLF WILLIAM KURTINES Florida Internation... more ... STEVEN BERMAN JAMIE WANDERMAN ERVIN BRIONES LILIANA WOLF WILLIAM KURTINES Florida International University ... In addition, Pollard (1992) reported that subjects who engage in the use of critical discussion are more likely to constructively resolve sociomoral ...

Research paper thumbnail of Brief Strategic Family Therapy: Engagement and Treatment

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1300 J020v26n01_05, Mar 3, 2008

akes every effort t o ensure t he accuracy of all t he inform at ion ( t he " Cont ent " ) cont a... more akes every effort t o ensure t he accuracy of all t he inform at ion ( t he " Cont ent " ) cont ained in t he publicat ions on our plat form . However, Taylor & Francis, our agent s, and our licensors m ake no represent at ions or warrant ies what soever as t o t he accuracy, com plet eness, or suit abilit y for any purpose of t he Cont ent . Any opinions and views expressed in t his publicat ion are t he opinions and views of t he aut hors, and are not t he views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of t he Cont ent should not be relied upon and should be independent ly verified wit h prim ary sources of inform at ion. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, act ions, claim s, proceedings, dem ands, cost s, expenses, dam ages, and ot her liabilit ies what soever or howsoever caused arising direct ly or indirect ly in connect ion wit h, in relat ion t o or arising out of t he use of t he Cont ent .

Research paper thumbnail of Familias Unidas: A Systemic, Parent-Centered Approach to Preventing Problem Behavior in Hispanic Adolescents

Preventing youth substance abuse: Science-based programs for children and adolescents., 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in family functioning in grandparent and parent-headed households in a clinical sample of drug-using African American adolescents

Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 2006

Grandparents play a critical role in African American families, providing support and important l... more Grandparents play a critical role in African American families, providing support and important leadership functions. Little is known, however, about family functioning in grandparent-headed households with a drug-using adolescent. Such knowledge is particularly salient for researchers and therapists who work with drug-using adolescents and their families. Using a clinical sample of convenience, analyses were conducted to identify similarities and differences in adolescent substance use and behavior problems, family relationships, and family social ecology relationships between African American grandparent-headed (n=12) and parent-headed (n=54) households. Results indicated that adolescents from the 2 household types reported similar levels of problem behaviors, but that grandparents reported less delinquency with peers than did parents. Primary caregivers in grandparent-headed households reported less monitoring and supervision of peers and less within-family conflict. Implications for treatment are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Familias Unidas: the efficacy of an intervention to promote parental investment in Hispanic immigrant families

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 2003

This paper reports a test of the efficacy of Familias Unidas, a Hispanic-specific, ecologically f... more This paper reports a test of the efficacy of Familias Unidas, a Hispanic-specific, ecologically focused, parent-centered preventive intervention, in promoting protection against and reducing risk for adolescent behavior problems. Specifically, the intervention was designed to foster parental investment, reduce adolescent behavior problems, and promote adolescent school bonding/academic achievement, all protective factors against drug abuse and delinquency. One-hundred sixty seven Hispanic families of 6th and 7th grade students from three South Florida public schools were stratified by grade within school and randomly assigned to intervention and no-intervention control conditions. Results indicated that Familias Unidas was efficacious in increasing parental investment and decreasing adolescent behavior problems, but that it did not significantly impact adolescent school bonding/academic achievement. Summer-vacation rates of adolescent behavior problems were six times higher in the c...

Research paper thumbnail of A randomized controlled trial of a parent-centered intervention in preventing substance use and HIV risk behaviors in Hispanic adolescents

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2007

The present study evaluated the efficacy of Familias Unidas + Parent-Preadolescent Training for H... more The present study evaluated the efficacy of Familias Unidas + Parent-Preadolescent Training for HIV Prevention (PATH), a Hispanic-specific, parent-centered intervention, in preventing adolescent substance use and unsafe sexual behavior. Two hundred sixty-six 8th-grade Hispanic adolescents and their primary caregivers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: Familias Unidas + PATH, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) + PATH, and ESOL + HeartPower! for Hispanics (HEART). Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months postbaseline. Results showed that (a) Familias Unidas + PATH was efficacious in preventing and reducing cigarette use relative to both control conditions; (b) Familias Unidas + PATH was efficacious, relative to ESOL + HEART, in reducing illicit drug use; and (c) Familias Unidas + PATH was efficacious, relative to ESOL + PATH, in reducing unsafe sexual behavior. The effects of Familias Unidas + PATH on these distal outcomes were partially mediated by improvements in family functioning. These findings suggest that strengthening the family system, rather than targeting specific health behaviors, may be most efficacious in preventing and/or reducing cigarette smoking, illicit drug use, and unsafe sex in Hispanic adolescents.

Research paper thumbnail of Promoting Positive Youth Development: The Miami Youth Development Project (YDP)

Journal of Adolescent Research, 2008

The Miami Youth Development Project (YDP) had its beginnings in the early 1990s as a grassroots r... more The Miami Youth Development Project (YDP) had its beginnings in the early 1990s as a grassroots response to the needs of troubled (multiproblem) young people in the community (Arnett, Kurtines, & Montgomery, 2008, this issue). YDP is an important outcome of efforts to ...

Research paper thumbnail of Promoting Identity Development in Marginalized Youth

Journal of Adolescent Research, 2002

This study tested a school-based intervention developed for use with urban minority youth vulnera... more This study tested a school-based intervention developed for use with urban minority youth vulnerable to multiple negative developmental outcomes. A quasi-experimental design (pre-and post-follow-up with matched comparison condition) was used to evaluate the impact of the intervention on promoting positive change in four developmental domains (skills/knowledge, attitudes, orientations, exploration/commitment) related to identity development. The final set of participants comprised a matched sample of 92 youngsters, 46 in the intervention and 46 in the comparison condition. Quantitative results indicated that the intervention condition showed positive and significant gains from pre-to posttest on multiple indices, with a tendency toward the "leveling off" of intervention gains at follow-up. A qualitative assessment of the impact of the intervention illustrated positive effects of the intervention as well as the possible obstacles to intervention efficacy.

Research paper thumbnail of A Developmental Intervention Science (DIS) Outreach Research Approach to Promoting Youth Development: Theoretical, Methodological, and Meta-Theoretical Challenges

Journal of Adolescent Research, 2008

This paper describes work directed toward creating community-supported positive youth development... more This paper describes work directed toward creating community-supported positive youth development interventions that draw on a developmental intervention science outreach research approach. With respect to developmental interventions, this approach focuses on creating evidence-based longitudinal change intervention strategies for promoting long-term developmental change. The paper describes three broad challenges (theoretical, methodological, and meta-theoretical) that the authors faced in their efforts to develop and implement community-supported intervention programs built on this approach. The authors describe first the theoretical challenges they addressed in developing the conceptual framework for their community-supported intervention; second, the Downloaded from Montgomery et al. / Promoting Youth Development 269 challenge of developing and refining a methodological framework for evaluating positive youth development interventions in "real-world" settings; and third, the meta-theoretical challenges that arose in the context of implementing community-supported positive development programs.

Research paper thumbnail of Toward an Interdisciplinary Study of Acculturation, Identity, and Culture

Human Development, 2006

The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturat... more The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturation and identity. The most central thesis argued is that acculturation represents changes in cultural identity and that personal identity has the potential to 'anchor' immigrant people during their transition to a new society. The article emphasizes the experiences of nonwhite, non-Western immigrant people moving to Western nations. The article also calls for research on heretofore unexplored aspects of the relationship of acculturation to personal and social identity. Ideas are proposed for interventions to promote cultural identity change and personal identity coherence.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Identity in Acculturation among Immigrant People: Theoretical Propositions, Empirical Questions, and Applied Recommendations

Human Development, 2006

The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturat... more The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturation and identity. The most central thesis argued is that acculturation represents changes in cultural identity and that personal identity has the potential to 'anchor' immigrant people during their transition to a new society. The article emphasizes the experiences of nonwhite, non-Western immigrant people moving to Western nations. The article also calls for research on heretofore unexplored aspects of the relationship of acculturation to personal and social identity. Ideas are proposed for interventions to promote cultural identity change and personal identity coherence.

Research paper thumbnail of The prevention of HIV transmission in Hispanic adolescents

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2006

This article reviews the state of the science in HIV prevention for Hispanic adolescents. The art... more This article reviews the state of the science in HIV prevention for Hispanic adolescents. The article discusses the importance of preventing HIV in Hispanic adolescents. Literature is reviewed in three broad areas: (1) the prevalence rates of drug and alcohol misuse, sexual practices, and HIV infection; (2) risk and protective factors for drug and alcohol misuse and unprotected sex (in general and specifically for Hispanics); and (3) the state of HIV prevention intervention development and evaluation targeting Hispanic youth. Seven specific recommendations are advanced in areas that have the potential to further the field of HIV prevention for Hispanic adolescents.

Research paper thumbnail of Initial Engagement in Parent-Centered Preventive Interventions: A Family Systems Perspective

... to reduce behavior problems and substance abuse among urban poor, His-panic and AfricanAmeric... more ... to reduce behavior problems and substance abuse among urban poor, His-panic and AfricanAmerican adolescents. ... Together, these activities provide the ground for enhancing parental skills, strengthening family functioning, and increasing caregiver involvement in the ...

Research paper thumbnail of Ecodevelopmental Correlates of Behavior Problemsin Young Hispanic Females

Applied Developmental Science, 2002

... J. Douglas Coatsworth Pennsylvania State University Hilda Pantin University of Miami School o... more ... J. Douglas Coatsworth Pennsylvania State University Hilda Pantin University of Miami School of Medicine Cami McBride University of Illinois at Chicago Ervin Briones University of Miami School of Medicine William Kurtines Florida International University ...

Research paper thumbnail of Ethnic Differences in Comorbidity Among Substance- Abusing Adolescents Referred to Outpatient Therapy

Objective: To examine differences in psychiatric comorbidity between African-American and Hispani... more Objective: To examine differences in psychiatric comorbidity between African-American and Hispanic substance-abusing
adolescents referred for outpatient therapy.
Method: Participants were 167 substance-abusing adolescents and their family members who completed an intake assessment. As part of the intake assessment, adolescents and parents were administered the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Predictive Scales to screen for the presence of nine psychiatric diagnoses representing both externalizing and internalizing disorders.
Results: Both African-American and Hispanic youths presented with high-above-threshold symptom rates of co-occurring disorders. However, both adolescents and parents reported that Hispanic youths (78.3% and 83.9%, respectively) demonstrated greater rates of externalizing symptoms than African-American youths (65.2% and 70.1%, respectively). African-American youths (40%) reported significantly more symptoms of agoraphobia than Hispanic youths (19.5%). Conclusions: The presence of high rates of co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems provides evidence of the need for developing and implementing multifaceted interventions that address the complex emotional and behavioral needs of adolescent substance abusers. Among Hispanic youths in particular, treatments must address constellations of problem behaviors that appear to co-occur and likely represent the child’s entrenchment in a deviant subculture. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2002, 41(4):394–401.

Research paper thumbnail of Education for Democracy: A co-constructivist perspective = Educación para la democracia: una perspectiva constructivista

Teoria De La Educacion, 1993

... STEVEN BERMAN JAMIE WANDERMAN ERVIN BRIONES LILIANA WOLF WILLIAM KURTINES Florida Internation... more ... STEVEN BERMAN JAMIE WANDERMAN ERVIN BRIONES LILIANA WOLF WILLIAM KURTINES Florida International University ... In addition, Pollard (1992) reported that subjects who engage in the use of critical discussion are more likely to constructively resolve sociomoral ...

Research paper thumbnail of Brief Strategic Family Therapy: Engagement and Treatment

Http Dx Doi Org 10 1300 J020v26n01_05, Mar 3, 2008

akes every effort t o ensure t he accuracy of all t he inform at ion ( t he " Cont ent " ) cont a... more akes every effort t o ensure t he accuracy of all t he inform at ion ( t he " Cont ent " ) cont ained in t he publicat ions on our plat form . However, Taylor & Francis, our agent s, and our licensors m ake no represent at ions or warrant ies what soever as t o t he accuracy, com plet eness, or suit abilit y for any purpose of t he Cont ent . Any opinions and views expressed in t his publicat ion are t he opinions and views of t he aut hors, and are not t he views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of t he Cont ent should not be relied upon and should be independent ly verified wit h prim ary sources of inform at ion. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, act ions, claim s, proceedings, dem ands, cost s, expenses, dam ages, and ot her liabilit ies what soever or howsoever caused arising direct ly or indirect ly in connect ion wit h, in relat ion t o or arising out of t he use of t he Cont ent .

Research paper thumbnail of Familias Unidas: A Systemic, Parent-Centered Approach to Preventing Problem Behavior in Hispanic Adolescents

Preventing youth substance abuse: Science-based programs for children and adolescents., 2007

Research paper thumbnail of Differences in family functioning in grandparent and parent-headed households in a clinical sample of drug-using African American adolescents

Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 2006

Grandparents play a critical role in African American families, providing support and important l... more Grandparents play a critical role in African American families, providing support and important leadership functions. Little is known, however, about family functioning in grandparent-headed households with a drug-using adolescent. Such knowledge is particularly salient for researchers and therapists who work with drug-using adolescents and their families. Using a clinical sample of convenience, analyses were conducted to identify similarities and differences in adolescent substance use and behavior problems, family relationships, and family social ecology relationships between African American grandparent-headed (n=12) and parent-headed (n=54) households. Results indicated that adolescents from the 2 household types reported similar levels of problem behaviors, but that grandparents reported less delinquency with peers than did parents. Primary caregivers in grandparent-headed households reported less monitoring and supervision of peers and less within-family conflict. Implications for treatment are discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Familias Unidas: the efficacy of an intervention to promote parental investment in Hispanic immigrant families

Prevention science : the official journal of the Society for Prevention Research, 2003

This paper reports a test of the efficacy of Familias Unidas, a Hispanic-specific, ecologically f... more This paper reports a test of the efficacy of Familias Unidas, a Hispanic-specific, ecologically focused, parent-centered preventive intervention, in promoting protection against and reducing risk for adolescent behavior problems. Specifically, the intervention was designed to foster parental investment, reduce adolescent behavior problems, and promote adolescent school bonding/academic achievement, all protective factors against drug abuse and delinquency. One-hundred sixty seven Hispanic families of 6th and 7th grade students from three South Florida public schools were stratified by grade within school and randomly assigned to intervention and no-intervention control conditions. Results indicated that Familias Unidas was efficacious in increasing parental investment and decreasing adolescent behavior problems, but that it did not significantly impact adolescent school bonding/academic achievement. Summer-vacation rates of adolescent behavior problems were six times higher in the c...

Research paper thumbnail of A randomized controlled trial of a parent-centered intervention in preventing substance use and HIV risk behaviors in Hispanic adolescents

Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2007

The present study evaluated the efficacy of Familias Unidas + Parent-Preadolescent Training for H... more The present study evaluated the efficacy of Familias Unidas + Parent-Preadolescent Training for HIV Prevention (PATH), a Hispanic-specific, parent-centered intervention, in preventing adolescent substance use and unsafe sexual behavior. Two hundred sixty-six 8th-grade Hispanic adolescents and their primary caregivers were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions: Familias Unidas + PATH, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) + PATH, and ESOL + HeartPower! for Hispanics (HEART). Participants were assessed at baseline and at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months postbaseline. Results showed that (a) Familias Unidas + PATH was efficacious in preventing and reducing cigarette use relative to both control conditions; (b) Familias Unidas + PATH was efficacious, relative to ESOL + HEART, in reducing illicit drug use; and (c) Familias Unidas + PATH was efficacious, relative to ESOL + PATH, in reducing unsafe sexual behavior. The effects of Familias Unidas + PATH on these distal outcomes were partially mediated by improvements in family functioning. These findings suggest that strengthening the family system, rather than targeting specific health behaviors, may be most efficacious in preventing and/or reducing cigarette smoking, illicit drug use, and unsafe sex in Hispanic adolescents.

Research paper thumbnail of Promoting Positive Youth Development: The Miami Youth Development Project (YDP)

Journal of Adolescent Research, 2008

The Miami Youth Development Project (YDP) had its beginnings in the early 1990s as a grassroots r... more The Miami Youth Development Project (YDP) had its beginnings in the early 1990s as a grassroots response to the needs of troubled (multiproblem) young people in the community (Arnett, Kurtines, & Montgomery, 2008, this issue). YDP is an important outcome of efforts to ...

Research paper thumbnail of Promoting Identity Development in Marginalized Youth

Journal of Adolescent Research, 2002

This study tested a school-based intervention developed for use with urban minority youth vulnera... more This study tested a school-based intervention developed for use with urban minority youth vulnerable to multiple negative developmental outcomes. A quasi-experimental design (pre-and post-follow-up with matched comparison condition) was used to evaluate the impact of the intervention on promoting positive change in four developmental domains (skills/knowledge, attitudes, orientations, exploration/commitment) related to identity development. The final set of participants comprised a matched sample of 92 youngsters, 46 in the intervention and 46 in the comparison condition. Quantitative results indicated that the intervention condition showed positive and significant gains from pre-to posttest on multiple indices, with a tendency toward the "leveling off" of intervention gains at follow-up. A qualitative assessment of the impact of the intervention illustrated positive effects of the intervention as well as the possible obstacles to intervention efficacy.

Research paper thumbnail of A Developmental Intervention Science (DIS) Outreach Research Approach to Promoting Youth Development: Theoretical, Methodological, and Meta-Theoretical Challenges

Journal of Adolescent Research, 2008

This paper describes work directed toward creating community-supported positive youth development... more This paper describes work directed toward creating community-supported positive youth development interventions that draw on a developmental intervention science outreach research approach. With respect to developmental interventions, this approach focuses on creating evidence-based longitudinal change intervention strategies for promoting long-term developmental change. The paper describes three broad challenges (theoretical, methodological, and meta-theoretical) that the authors faced in their efforts to develop and implement community-supported intervention programs built on this approach. The authors describe first the theoretical challenges they addressed in developing the conceptual framework for their community-supported intervention; second, the Downloaded from Montgomery et al. / Promoting Youth Development 269 challenge of developing and refining a methodological framework for evaluating positive youth development interventions in "real-world" settings; and third, the meta-theoretical challenges that arose in the context of implementing community-supported positive development programs.

Research paper thumbnail of Toward an Interdisciplinary Study of Acculturation, Identity, and Culture

Human Development, 2006

The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturat... more The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturation and identity. The most central thesis argued is that acculturation represents changes in cultural identity and that personal identity has the potential to 'anchor' immigrant people during their transition to a new society. The article emphasizes the experiences of nonwhite, non-Western immigrant people moving to Western nations. The article also calls for research on heretofore unexplored aspects of the relationship of acculturation to personal and social identity. Ideas are proposed for interventions to promote cultural identity change and personal identity coherence.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Identity in Acculturation among Immigrant People: Theoretical Propositions, Empirical Questions, and Applied Recommendations

Human Development, 2006

The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturat... more The present paper advances theoretical propositions regarding the relationship between acculturation and identity. The most central thesis argued is that acculturation represents changes in cultural identity and that personal identity has the potential to 'anchor' immigrant people during their transition to a new society. The article emphasizes the experiences of nonwhite, non-Western immigrant people moving to Western nations. The article also calls for research on heretofore unexplored aspects of the relationship of acculturation to personal and social identity. Ideas are proposed for interventions to promote cultural identity change and personal identity coherence.

Research paper thumbnail of The prevention of HIV transmission in Hispanic adolescents

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2006

This article reviews the state of the science in HIV prevention for Hispanic adolescents. The art... more This article reviews the state of the science in HIV prevention for Hispanic adolescents. The article discusses the importance of preventing HIV in Hispanic adolescents. Literature is reviewed in three broad areas: (1) the prevalence rates of drug and alcohol misuse, sexual practices, and HIV infection; (2) risk and protective factors for drug and alcohol misuse and unprotected sex (in general and specifically for Hispanics); and (3) the state of HIV prevention intervention development and evaluation targeting Hispanic youth. Seven specific recommendations are advanced in areas that have the potential to further the field of HIV prevention for Hispanic adolescents.

Research paper thumbnail of Initial Engagement in Parent-Centered Preventive Interventions: A Family Systems Perspective

... to reduce behavior problems and substance abuse among urban poor, His-panic and AfricanAmeric... more ... to reduce behavior problems and substance abuse among urban poor, His-panic and AfricanAmerican adolescents. ... Together, these activities provide the ground for enhancing parental skills, strengthening family functioning, and increasing caregiver involvement in the ...

Research paper thumbnail of Ecodevelopmental Correlates of Behavior Problemsin Young Hispanic Females

Applied Developmental Science, 2002

... J. Douglas Coatsworth Pennsylvania State University Hilda Pantin University of Miami School o... more ... J. Douglas Coatsworth Pennsylvania State University Hilda Pantin University of Miami School of Medicine Cami McBride University of Illinois at Chicago Ervin Briones University of Miami School of Medicine William Kurtines Florida International University ...

Research paper thumbnail of Ethnic Differences in Comorbidity Among Substance- Abusing Adolescents Referred to Outpatient Therapy

Objective: To examine differences in psychiatric comorbidity between African-American and Hispani... more Objective: To examine differences in psychiatric comorbidity between African-American and Hispanic substance-abusing
adolescents referred for outpatient therapy.
Method: Participants were 167 substance-abusing adolescents and their family members who completed an intake assessment. As part of the intake assessment, adolescents and parents were administered the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children-Predictive Scales to screen for the presence of nine psychiatric diagnoses representing both externalizing and internalizing disorders.
Results: Both African-American and Hispanic youths presented with high-above-threshold symptom rates of co-occurring disorders. However, both adolescents and parents reported that Hispanic youths (78.3% and 83.9%, respectively) demonstrated greater rates of externalizing symptoms than African-American youths (65.2% and 70.1%, respectively). African-American youths (40%) reported significantly more symptoms of agoraphobia than Hispanic youths (19.5%). Conclusions: The presence of high rates of co-occurring internalizing and externalizing problems provides evidence of the need for developing and implementing multifaceted interventions that address the complex emotional and behavioral needs of adolescent substance abusers. Among Hispanic youths in particular, treatments must address constellations of problem behaviors that appear to co-occur and likely represent the child’s entrenchment in a deviant subculture. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2002, 41(4):394–401.