Strong African American Families

Mental Health Substance Use Prevention or Treatment Well-Supported

Strong African American Families (SAAF) is a 7-session, group-based parenting program designed for families with youth ages 10–14. SAAF aims to build on the strengths of African American families to prevent substance use and other risky behaviors. The program focuses on strengthening parental monitoring and involvement, improving communication about sex and substance use, and providing positive racial socialization. SAAF promotes youth goal-setting and attainment, resistance of risky behaviors, and acceptance of parental influences. Each 2-hour session has two parts. In the first hour, youth and caregivers meet in separate groups for activities, discussion, and skill-building. In the second hour, youth and caregivers come back together for activities with their family and the larger group.


SAAF is rated as a well-supported practice because at least two studies with non-overlapping samples carried out in usual care or practice settings achieved a rating of moderate or high on design and execution and demonstrated favorable effects in a target outcome domain. At least one of the studies demonstrated a sustained favorable effect of at least 12 months beyond the end of treatment on at least one target outcome.


Date Research Evidence Last Reviewed: Sep 2022


Sources

The program or service description, target population, and program or service delivery and implementation information were informed by the following sources: the program or service manual, the program or service developer’s website, and the studies reviewed.


This information does not necessarily represent the views of the program or service developers. For more information on how this program or service was reviewed, visit the Review Process page or download the Handbook.

Target Population

SAAF is designed to serve families with youth ages 10–14 who identify as being African American or Black.

Dosage

SAAF is delivered over seven weekly 2-hour group sessions. Sessions typically consist of groups of 6–8 families, and up to a maximum of 12 families.

Location/Delivery Setting
Recommended Locations/Delivery Settings

SAAF is delivered in community settings.

Location/Delivery Settings Observed in the Research

  • Community Center (e.g., religious or recreational facility)

Education, Certifications and Training

SAAF is delivered by certified SAAF facilitators. Sites implementing SAAF are required to have at least five certified facilitators. Each session is intended to be led by a team of three certified facilitators. In the first hour of the program, two facilitators lead the youth-only content while the third facilitator leads the caregiver-only content. In the second hour of the program, all three facilitators work together to implement the family content. To become certified as a SAAF facilitator, individuals must complete a 3-day “training of facilitators” led by a certified agency trainer. 

To become certified as an agency trainer, certified SAAF facilitators must (1) complete an additional “training of trainer” training; (2) implement the full SAAF program at least two times as a parent or caregiver facilitator and at least two times as a youth facilitator; and (3) submit videos of session implementation, self-evaluation forms, and fidelity observation forms for select sessions.

Program or Service Documentation
Book/Manual/Available documentation used for review

Molgaard, V. K., Gerrard, M., & Gibbons, F. X. (2016). Strong African American Families Program. Center for Family Research, University of Georgia.

Available languages

 SAAF materials are available in English.

Other supporting materials

Strong African American Families. (2021). SAAF site resource manual. Center for Family Research, University of Georgia.

Training Information

For More Information

Website: https://cfr.uga.edu/saaf-programs/saaf/ 

Phone: (706) 425-2992

Contact Form: https://cfr.uga.edu/contact-us/ 


Note: The details on Dosage; Location; Education, Certifications, and Training; Other Supporting Materials; and For More Information sections above are provided to website users for informational purposes only. This information is not exhaustive and may be subject to change.

Results of Search and Review Number of Studies Identified and Reviewed for Strong African American Families
Identified in Search 3
Eligible for Review 3
Rated High 1
Rated Moderate 2
Rated Low 0
Reviewed Only for Risk of Harm 0

Outcome Effect Size Effect Size more info
and Implied Percentile Effect Implied Percentile Effect more info 		N of Studies (Findings) N of Participants Summary of Findings
Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning 0.31
12 		2 (8) 1267 Favorable: 4
No Effect: 4
Unfavorable: 0
Child well-being: Social functioning 0.21
8 		2 (2) 736 Favorable: 0
No Effect: 2
Unfavorable: 0
Child well-being: Physical development and health 0.01
0 		1 (1) 284 Favorable: 0
No Effect: 1
Unfavorable: 0
Child well-being: Substance use 0.14
5 		2 (4) 516 Favorable: 3
No Effect: 1
Unfavorable: 0
Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices 0.26
10 		2 (14) 785 Favorable: 8
No Effect: 6
Unfavorable: 0
Adult well-being: Family functioning 0.10
3 		1 (2) 320 Favorable: 0
No Effect: 2
Unfavorable: 0

Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes for some outcomes were not able to be calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse.

Outcome Effect Size Effect Size more info
and Implied Percentile Effect Implied Percentile Effect more info 		N of Studies (Findings) N of Participants Summary of Findings Months after treatment
when outcome measured Months after treatment when outcome measured more info
Child well-being: Behavioral and emotional functioning 0.31
12 		2 (8) 1267 Favorable: 4
No Effect: 4
Unfavorable: 0
 -
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2004)
Goal-Directed Future Orientation 0.36 *
14 		- 320 - 3
Resistance Efficacy 0.20
8 		- 320 - 3
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2005)
Children’s Self-Control Scale: Self-Control 0.04
1 		- 320 - 3
Children’s Self-Control Scale: Lack of Self-Control 0.18
7 		- 320 - 3
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control Group (QED) (Brody, 2008)
National Youth Survey: Conduct Problems 0.43 *
16 		- 482 - 25
Study 14224 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program vs. Waitlist Control Group (Kogan, 2016)
Tolerance of Deviance Scale 0.32 *
12 		- 416 - 3
Intervention-Targeted Self-Regulatory Processes 0.22 *
8 		- 465 - 3
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2005)
Sexual Self-Concept Inventory: Positive Body Image 0.12
4 		- 320 - 3
Child well-being: Social functioning 0.21
8 		2 (2) 736 Favorable: 0
No Effect: 2
Unfavorable: 0
 -
Study 14224 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program vs. Waitlist Control Group (Kogan, 2016)
Peer Behavior 0.17
6 		- 416 - 3
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2005)
Sexual Self-Concept Inventory: Sexual Social Comparison 0.26
10 		- 320 - 3
Child well-being: Physical development and health 0.01
0 		1 (1) 284 Favorable: 0
No Effect: 1
Unfavorable: 0
 -
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2007)
Sexual Risk Behavior 0.01
0 		- 284 - 25
Child well-being: Substance use 0.14
5 		2 (4) 516 Favorable: 3
No Effect: 1
Unfavorable: 0
 -
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2006a)
Alcohol Use Initiation 0.72 *
26 		- 305 - 3
Alcohol Use Initiation 0.51 *
19 		- 305 - 25
Alcohol Composite Index 0.28 *
11 		- 305 - 25
Study 14369 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) vs. No-Treatment Control (Kogan, 2019)
Alcohol Use (Frequency in Past 3 Months) -0.10
-4 		- 211 - 8
Adult well-being: Positive parenting practices 0.26
10 		2 (14) 785 Favorable: 8
No Effect: 6
Unfavorable: 0
 -
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2004)
Expectations for Alcohol Use 0.70 *
25 		- 320 - 3
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2006b)
Racial Socialization Scale (Youth Report) 0.20
8 		- 320 - 3
Nurturant–Involved Parenting (Youth Report) 0.08
3 		- 320 - 3
Consistent Rules 0.47 *
17 		- 320 - 3
Youths' Parenting Assessments Favorable *
not calculated 		- 320 - 3
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Gerrard, 2006)
Nurturant–Involved Parenting (Parent Report) 0.20
8 		- 281 - 3
Parental Monitoring 0.12
4 		- 281 - 3
Clear Expectations About Alcohol 0.17
6 		- 281 - 3
Intervention-Targeted Parenting Behaviors 0.31 *
11 		- 281 - 3
Study 14224 - Strong African American Families (SAAF) Program vs. Waitlist Control Group (Kogan, 2016)
Intervention-Targeted Parenting 0.22 *
8 		- 465 - 3
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Murry, 2005)
Involved, Nurturant Parenting 0.19
7 		- 320 - 3
Racial Socialization Scale (Parent Report) 0.38 *
14 		- 320 - 3
Parental Communication About Sex Scale 0.42 *
16 		- 320 - 3
Expectations About Alcohol and Other Drugs 0.49 *
18 		- 320 - 3
Adult well-being: Family functioning 0.10
3 		1 (2) 320 Favorable: 0
No Effect: 2
Unfavorable: 0
 -
Study 14223 - Strong African American Families Program (SAAFP) vs Leaflet-Only Control (Earlier Enrollment RCT Sample) (Brody, 2005)
Interaction Behavior Questionnaire 0.15
6 		- 320 - 3
Carver Social Support Scales: Parental Support 0.05
1 		- 320 - 3

*p <.05

Note: For the effect sizes and implied percentile effects reported in the table, a positive number favors the intervention group and a negative number favors the comparison group. Effect sizes and implied percentile effects were calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse as described in the Handbook of Standards and Procedures, Section 5.10.4 and may not align with effect sizes reported in individual publications. Effect sizes for some outcomes were not able to be calculated by the Prevention Services Clearinghouse.

Only publications with eligible contrasts that met design and execution standards are included in the individual study findings table.

Full citations for the studies shown in the table are available in the "Studies Reviewed" section.

Sometimes study results are reported in more than one document, or a single document reports results from multiple studies. Studies are identified below by their Prevention Services Clearinghouse study identification numbers. To receive a rating of supported or well-supported, the favorable evidence for a program or service must have been obtained from research conducted in a usual care or practice setting.

Studies Rated High

Study 14224

Kogan, S. M., Lei, M.-K., Brody, G. H., Futris, T. G., Sperr, M., & Anderson, T. (2016). Implementing family-centered prevention in rural African American communities: A randomized effectiveness trial of the Strong African American Families Program. Prevention Science, 17(2), 248-258. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11121-015-0614-3


Studies Rated Moderate

Study 14369

Kogan, S. M., Bae, D., Lei, M. K., & Brody, G. H. (2019). Family-centered alcohol use prevention for African American adolescents: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 87(12), 1085-1092. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000448

Study 14223

Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Molgaard, V., McNair, L., Brown, A. C., Wills, T. A., Spoth, R. L., Luo, Z. Chen, Y.-f., & Neubaum-Carlan, E. (2004). The Strong African American Families Program: Translating research into prevention programming. Child Development, 75(3), 900-917. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2004.00713.x

Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Kogan, S. M., Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Molgaard, V., Brown, A. C., Anderson, T., Chen, Y.-f., Luo, Z., & Wills, T. A. (2006a). The Strong African American Families Program: A cluster-randomized prevention trial of long-term effects and a mediational model. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 72(2), 356-366. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006x.74.2.356

Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., McNair, L., Brown, A. C., Wills, T. A., Molgaard, V., Spoth, R. L., Luo, Z., & Chen, Y.-f. (2006b). The Strong African American Families Program: Prevention of youths' high-risk behavior and a test of a model of change. Journal of Family Psychology, 20(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.20.1.1

Beach, S. R. H., Kogan, S. M., Brody, G. H., Chen, Y.-f., Lei, M.-K., & Murry, V. M. (2008). Change in caregiver depression as a function of the Strong African American Families Program. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(2), 241-252. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-3200.22.2.241

Brody, G. H., Kogan, S. M., Chen, Y.-f., & Murry, V. M. (2008). Long-term effects of the Strong African American Families Program on youths' conduct problems. Journal of Adolescent Health, 43(5), 474-481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.04.016

Murry, V. M., McNair, L. D., Myers, S. S., Chen, Y.-f., & Brody, G. H. (2014). Intervention induced changes in perceptions of parenting and risk opportunities among rural African American. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 23(2), 422-436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-013-9714-5

Brody, G. H., Yu, T., Chen, E., Beach, S. R., & Miller, G. E. (2016). Family-centered prevention ameliorates the longitudinal association between risky family processes and epigenetic aging. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 57(5), 566-574. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.12495

Brody, G. H., McBride Murry, V., McNair, L., Chen, Y.-f., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., & Ashby Wills, T. (2005). Linking changes in parenting to parent-child relationship quality and youth self-control: The Strong African American Families Program. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 15(1), 47-69. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1111/j.1532-7795.2005.00086.x

Gerrard, M., Gibbons, F. X., Brody, G. H., Murry, V. M., Cleveland, M. J., & Wills, T. A. (2006). A theory-based dual-focus alcohol intervention for preadolescents: The Strong African American Families Program. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, 20(2), 185-195. https://doi.org/10.1037/0893-164X.20.2.185

Murry, V. M., Berkel, C., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, M., & Gibbons, F. X. (2007). The Strong African American Families Program: Longitudinal pathways to sexual risk reduction. Journal of Adolescent Health, 41(4), 333-342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2007.04.003

Murry, V. M., Berkel, C., Chen, Y.-f., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, F. X., & Gerrard, M. (2011). Intervention induced changes on parenting practices, youth self-pride and sexual norms to reduce HIV-related behaviors among rural African American youths. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 40(9), 1147-1163. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10964-011-9642-x

Murry, V. M., Brody, G. H., McNair, L. D., Luo, Z., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., & Wills, T. A. (2005). Parental involvement promotes rural African American youths' self-pride and sexual self-concepts. Journal of Marriage and Family, 67(3), 627-642. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-3737.2005.00158.x

Wills, T. A., Murry, V. M., Brody, G. H., Gibbons, F. X., Gerrard, M., Walker, C., & Ainette, M. G. (2007). Ethnic pride and self-control related to protective and risk factors: Test of the theoretical model for the Strong African American Families Program. Health Psychology, 26(1), 50-59. https://doi.org/10.1037/0278-6133.26.1.50