Exploring Cultural Adaptations: A Scoping Review of Adolescent Prevention Programs for Substance Use and Mental Health
Claudia Corpus-Espinosaa, Isotta Mac Faddenb, María del Carmen Torrejón-Guiradoa, Marta Lima-Serranoa
a Faculty of Nursing, Physiotherapy, and Podiatry, Department of Nursing, Universidad de Sevilla, Avenzoar Street, 6, 41009, Seville, Spain.
b Social Sciences Faculty, Department of Sociology, Universidad de Salamanca, Francisco Tomás y Valiente Avenue, no., 37071, Salamanca, Spain.
At the 15th EUSPR conference, Claudia Corpus-Espinosa had the opportunity to present their latest research on Prevention Programs for Substance Use and Mental Health. Check out the abstract of her presentation!
Adolescence is a critical period for developing risk behaviors such as substance use, which can impact health in adulthood. Culturally adapted evidence-based programs (EBPs) emerge as a cost-effective solution. Thus, understanding how to leverage and adapt EBPs becomes important. This scoping review aims to investigate adaptation procedures, types of adaptations, techniques employed, and evaluation methods, to develop a methodological guide for action.
Following PRISMA-ScR, we searched multiple databases, grey literature, and relevant websites for studies detailing the cultural adaptation process of EBPs targeting prevention of alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis use, and/or anxiety or depression among adolescents aged 10-19 years. We then categorized common adaptation steps, classified adaptations using the cultural sensitivity model, identified prevalent adaptation techniques, and determined effectiveness assessment methods.
We reviewed the cultural adaptation processes of 43 EBPs. These programs were implemented in schools (51%), followed by family settings (30%), community settings (14%) and multi-component setting (5%). Eleven key steps were identified across the documents: local needs assessment, program selection, understanding of program’s curriculum, advisory group establishment, first draft of initial adaptation changes, staff selection and training, pilot study, enhanced cultural adaptation, implementation, evaluation and monitoring and dissemination. Most interventions integrated both surface (e.g., use of local images, material translation) and deep adaptations (e.g., incorporation of cultural values like “familismo”). Despite the common use of the cultural sensitivity model, detailed adaptation frameworks were often lacking. Most culturally EBPs employed between 2 and 5 techniques, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative methods to facilitate the adaptation process.
These findings suggest significant advancements in cultural adaptation; however, a deeper understanding of the field is still needed. Additionally, the results highlight the importance of thoroughly documenting the adaptation process for both research and practical applications. Finally, the study identifies the most commonly reported steps in the cultural adaptation process as reflected in the literature.
Preparing for the next EUSPR Conference (September 23-26, 2025 in Berlin)
Are you planning to participate in the next EUSPR Conference? If so, do you intend to present further details about your work?
Yes, I am planning to participate in the next EUSPR Conference, and I do intend to present further details about my research on the cultural adaptation of prevention programs.
About the author
Claudia Corpus-Espinosa, Doctoral Researcher in Health Sciences (Universidad de Sevilla)
I am a doctoral researcher in Health Sciences at the Department of Nursing, University of Seville. I hold a bachelor’s degr
ee in environmental sciences and health and a master’s degree in environmental sciences. My academic background and practical experience have equipped me to address complex health challenges with a focus on prevention and cultural adaptation.
My research focuses on developing a methodological guide for the cultural adaptation of prevention programs targeting substance use and common mental health disorders among adolescents in vulnerable settings. I aim to bridge the gap between evidence-based programs and their effective implementation across diverse cultural contexts.
I strive to integrate perspectives from public administration, academia, business, and community organizations to ensure that prevention programs are both culturally sensitive and impactful. I recently presented my work at the EUSPR conference, where I engaged with the international community to foster collaboration and share innovative approaches to prevention science.
You can contact her at ccorpus[at]us.es for any enquiries
OpenEdition suggests that you cite this post as follows:
EUSPR Early Careers Forum (February 17, 2025). Exploring Cultural Adaptations: A Scoping Review of Adolescent Prevention Programs for Substance Use and Mental Health. Preventing disease and ill health. Retrieved May 17, 2026 from https://doi.org/10.58079/13btx


