We review findings from research on smoking, alcohol, and other drug use, which show that the network approaCh is instructive for understanding social influences on substance use. A hypothetical network is used throughout to illustrate different network findings and provide a short glossary of terms. We then describe how network analysis can be used to design more effective prevention programs and to monitor and evaluate these programs. The article closes with a discussion of the inherent transdisciplinarity of social network analysis.

We examined the longitudinal impact of self-reported exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco media on adolescents' susceptibility to smoking, using in-school surveys from a culturally diverse sample. Ethnicity and acculturation also were examined as potential moderators. Middle-school students (N = 2,292) completed self-report questionnaires during the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Chi-square analyses were conducted to determine whether reported exposure to pro- and anti-tobacco media varied according to ethnicity, acculturation, and immigration status. Logistic regression models were used to examine whether pro- and anti-tobacco media exposure in 6th grade was associated with susceptibility to smoking by later grades. Recall of people smoking in television programs and pro-tobacco advertisements in stores was associated with adolescent smoking susceptibility. Exposure to anti-tobacco advertisements on television protected against susceptibility. No significant interaction effects between pro- and anti-tobacco media exposure on smoking susceptibility were found. Ethnicity and acculturation did not moderate these associations. Our longitudinal study provides evidence that pro-tobacco media and advertising increases susceptibility to smoking over time. More important, anti-tobacco advertisements are not sufficient to reduce the harmful effects of adolescent exposure to pro-tobacco media. Policy-level interventions such as restrictions in tobacco advertising may be necessary to prevent adolescent smoking.

Purpose-This study examined the associations between smoking initiation and, hostility, depressive symptoms, and bullying (bullies and bully-victims) among a culturally diverse sample of 1771 adolescents who reported never having smoked at baseline. Methods-Datawere from a longitudinal school-based experimental trial of smoking prevention programs in Southern California. Students were surveyed annually while in the 6 th , 7 th , and 8 th grades. All students in the 24 participating schools were invited to participate in the study during the 6 th grade.Results-The risk of smoking initiation was significantly higher among students who score higher on hostility and depressive symptoms, and were bully-victims.Conclusions-The findings suggest that tobacco prevention programs should include strategies of managing hostile feelings and negative affect as part of the curriculum. In addition, it may be helpful to identify youth who score high on these psychosocial factors and teach them skills to handle interpersonal conflict and negative feelings to prevent their involvement in substance use.

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Using data from a diverse statewide sample of 10th-grade adolescents in California, in 1996-97, this study investigated the associations between peer influence variables and susceptibility to smoking. Peer influence variables included attitudes about the social consequences of smoking and subjective norms, as described by the Theory of Reasoned Action. Among never-smokers (N=2681) and ever-smokers (N=4248), attitudes about social consequences of smoking and subjective norms each were associated with an increased risk of susceptibility to smoking. The model explained a larger proportion of the variance in susceptibility among ever-smokers than among never-smokers. Results indicate that peer influences, including perceptions of the social consequences of smoking and perceived social norms, may make adolescents susceptible to smoking.

Using logistic and multiple regression, we examined the association between hostility, level of depressive symptoms, and smoking in a sample of 1699 ethnically diverse students in California. Self‐reports were collected twice from each student, at the beginning of the 6th and 7th grade years. Among 6th graders who had not smoked, depressive symptoms and hostility were associated with smoking initiation by the 7th grade. Among those students who had already tried smoking, increases in depressive symptoms and hostility were associated with more frequent smoking. The association between hostility and smoking was stronger for students reporting higher levels of depressive symptoms.

The objective of this work is to offer information on aspects of sexuality in adolescent men and women between the ages of 14 and 18, to discern the importance of leading a healthy and conscious sexual and reproductive life, as well as the proper use of Tics in this area, through the social network Tik Tok and a psychoeducational blog that can also be used for the education of young people by their parents and educators. The study has a descriptive approach since information can be collected individually or in groups on the variables proposed in it without the intention of identifying causal relationships. A survey was applied with the selected population, 10 adolescents, 10 parents and 10 teachers were taken from the city of Bogotá in the town of Kennedy. According to the results obtained, it is evident the need of the population to obtain truthful information supported by articles, books, slides, infographics and quality content, where adolescents can access this educational information, and that fulfills the functions of sexual orientation in adolescents and guidance for their fathers, mothers and educators. Likewise, it can be identified that both for parents and educators it is important to increase the knowledge of adolescents in aspects of sexuality and to be able to monitor them through the different formats offered by the internet.