From evidence to practice: stakeholder-driven methods to culturally adapting prevention programs addressing substance...

Applying established frameworks for cultural adaptation of evidence-based programs (EBPs) is essential to ensure cost-effectiveness, adoption, and sustainability while advancing health equity. However, adaptation processes often lack systematic approaches, particularly outside academic contexts.

This study explores how cultural adaptation processes of prevention programs are delivered to address adolescent substance use and common mental health issues, from the perspective of the main stakeholders involved in these processes. In parallel, it aims to empirically refine and specify the 11 stages synthesized in prior work that integrated insights from multiple cultural adaptation processes and frameworks.

A qualitative analysis was conducted using content analysis of 22 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from the quadruple helix model: 6 from Academia, 6 from Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and 10 from Public administration, selected globally. Stakeholders were identified via brainstorming and purposive-convenience sampling, based on their roles in adapting, implementing, evaluating, or funding prevention programs addressing adolescent substance use and mental health issues. Despite extensive recruitment efforts, no representation from the Business helix was achieved, as only one business contact agreed to be interviewed, which was not considered sufficient for inclusion.

The qualitative analysis refined and expanded the stages of a cultural adaptation sequence that reflects how cultural adaptation processes are conducted in practice: building synergies, local needs assessment, program selection, initial cultural adaptation, advisory group consultation, staff training, piloting, program refinement and readiness for implementation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and dissemination and sustainability. Notably, not all stakeholders followed or applied the steps uniformly. Furthermore, academics were the only group to report using formal cultural adaptation models, while NGOs and the Public administration relied on experiential and contextual knowledge.

Findings underscore the importance of translating scientific knowledge into practice contexts while ensuring continuous evaluation, dissemination, and sustainability of adapted EBPs targeting adolescent substance use and mental health issues. Collaborative efforts and co-creative strategies are crucial to maintaining cultural relevance. This study contributes by offering empirical refinement and operational specification of an 11-step cultural adaptation sequence identified in a prior scoping review. Linking evidence from prior literature with practice provides greater clarity and applicability for implementers seeking to culturally adapt prevention programs across diverse contexts.