Assessing Cultural Relevance: Latine Caregiver Perspectives on the Familias Fuertes Program In an Emerging Immigrant Context

Background and Purpose: Latine families experience distinct sociocultural stressors, including anti-immigrant climates, language barriers, and limited access to culturally responsive services, that elevate behavioral health risks among youth (Held et al., 2022; Brietzke & Perreira, 2016). Additional challenges include acculturative stress, discrimination, and shifting family dynamics, particularly in emerging immigrant destinations such as Tennessee (Piñeros-Leaño et al., 2023; Cuevas et al., 2021). Culturally adapted, family-based prevention programs, such as Familias Fuertes (FF), have shown promising outcomes in strengthening caregiver-youth relationships, a critical protective factor against adverse behavioral health outcomes among Latine youth (Parra-Cardona et al., 2022; Perrino et al., 2014). However, prior research highlights that cultural adaptation is not static; interventions may not fully align with the distinct contextual realities of diverse communities, especially across varying and dynamic sociopolitical environments (Bernal & Domenech Rodríguez, 2012). This study examines Latine caregivers’ perceptions of the cultural relevance of FF in East Tennessee, where empirical evidence on program fit is limited.

Methods: This qualitative study draws on semi-structured interviews with 20 Spanish-speaking Latine caregivers who completed at least five of seven FF sessions. Interviews were conducted in participants’ preferred language (Spanish or English) and transcribed using a HIPAA-compliant service. Questions explored the extent to which program content, delivery, and setting aligned with participants’ cultural values and lived experiences. Demographic data were collected via a brief pre-interview survey. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, with iterative codebook development and collaboration with community partners to ensure cultural grounding.

Results: Caregivers largely perceived FF as culturally relevant and aligned with Latine family values, particularly in promoting communication, strengthening relationships, and supporting boundary setting. Participants emphasized the importance of Spanish-language delivery and trusted, community-based facilitation. At the same time, caregivers identified areas for deeper cultural tailoring, including more explicit integration of immigration-related stressors, acculturative challenges, and navigation of U.S.-based systems. Findings highlight both the strengths of the program’s cultural alignment and the need for ongoing refinement to better reflect participants’ lived realities.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings reinforce that cultural relevance is an iterative and context-dependent process requiring continuous evaluation, as participants highlighted strengths in cultural alignment (e.g., Spanish-language delivery and community-based facilitation) and gaps in addressing immigration-related and acculturative experiences. For research, this study underscores the utility of incorporating qualitative, community-engaged approaches to assess cultural fit and inform adaptation, particularly in emerging immigrant contexts. Future research should examine how deep,culturally-grounded modifications influence participant outcomes and long-term program sustainability. For practice, results highlight the need for flexible implementation models that center participant feedback, support bilingual and bicultural facilitation, and allow for adaptation to local sociopolitical realities. For policy, findings point to the importance of investing in culturally responsive prevention infrastructure, including funding for community-based organizations, workforce development in bilingual services, and policies that reduce structural barriers faced by immigrant families. Advancing culturally and contextually grounded interventions is essential to promoting equitable behavioral health outcomes for Latine youth and families.