Findings from SUPER STARS: A health promotion program for families to enhance multiple protective factors

SUPER STARS, a preventive intervention for children and their parents, was developed using a protective factor approach. Children without participating parents were matched with other important adults in their lives. The intermediate goals of the program were to strengthen family bonding and functioning, as well as to enhance a sense of racial pride and cultural bonding. Those factors have been shown to reduce the probability of substance use. The families involved in the program were identified and recruited through a variety of community agencies serving low-income urban families. The intervention used a variety of artistic modalities to convey messages and provide experiences related to culture and family, as well as individual behavioral skills. Youth had more positive feelings about themselves and their heritage (both immediate family and Africa) after the program. Parents reported improved family functioning, increased ability to deal with stress and conflict, and more positive feelings about themselves and their family. Implications for replication in the context of service demonstrations are discussed.