Culturally sensitive interventions for health related behaviors among Latino youth: A meta-analytic review

Latino youth represent a growing and culturally distinct population. Obtaining positive outcomes with this cultural group is widely thought to be contingent upon the use of Culturally Sensitive Interventions (CSIs). Yet, despite the prevalence of health disparities among Latino youth, little research has attempted to determine the effectiveness of currently operationalized CSIs. Employing meta-analytic techniques to address this knowledge gap, the results of the present study suggest that CSIs may achieve small beneficial effects, at least in the areas of externalizing behaviors (Hedges' g = 0.179, 95% C.I. = 0.019 to 0.338, p = 0.028) and physical health outcomes (Hedges' g = 0.200, 95% C.I. = 0.038 to 0.361, p = 0.016). Tentative practice and research implications conclude the paper.