Exploring the impact of network characteristics on substance use outcomes among homeless former foster youth

Abstract

Results highlight the need for a more in-depth understanding of the impact of network changes over time and their effect on substance use outcomes in this population.

Sociodemographic and substance use characteristics associated with typologies and composition of social support networks among youth experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, USA

“…Using this method, distinct social support network typologies and composition were found among this sample of youth experiencing homelessness. Consistent with prior research (Barman‐Adhikari et al, ; Ennett et al, ; Yoshioka‐Maxwell & Rice, ), youth experiencing homelessness were predominantly characterised by low or no social supports. For youth with a social support network, the networks were small and primarily comprised of peers, followed by family and staff.…”

“…A somewhat surprising finding is that former foster youth experiencing homelessness had greater odds of being characterised by the high staff emotional and service support class when compared to the low or no support class. Although prior research suggests that former foster youth experiencing homelessness report significantly fewer people in their networks than youth without a history of foster care (Negriff, James, & Trickett, ; Yoshioka‐Maxwell & Rice, ), it is possible that a subgroup of youth remain connected to past caseworkers or involved with other service systems. Additionally, youth who have been connected to the child welfare system may have learned how to navigate the web of social services and supports.…”

“…These social networks provide emotional, instrumental and service support to youth as well as link youth to unhealthy or risky behaviours (Johnson Whitbeck, & Hoyt, ; Rice, Stein, & Milburn, ). Moreover, 30%–40% of youth experiencing homelessness also have experiences in foster care at some point in their lives (Bender, Yang, Ferguson, & Thompson, ; Yoshioka‐Maxwell & Rice, ), and many youths run away or age out of the foster care system. Indeed, nearly two‐thirds of youths aging out of foster care experience homelessness within the first 6 months of transitioning from foster care (Dworsky & Courtney, ), and experiencing homelessness may subsequently lead to the cessation of the already limited supports among these youths (Hagan & McCarthy, ).…”

Exploring the Relationship Between Foster Care Experiences and HIV Risk Behaviors Among a Sample of Homeless Former Foster Youth

“…Although time spent in foster care and age at exit from foster care may initially appear to be contradictory, these findings indicate that shorter placements in out-of-home care starting at an older age may protect against some HIV-risk behaviors, compared to a longer time spent in care starting at an earlier age. As other studies have found, these results may relate to the types of social network connections made during youth's time spent in foster care [38]. Finally, the timing of homelessness experiences provides some insight into risk factors for this population, with rates of both drug use with sex and engagement in exchange sex increased among youth who experience homelessness before they exit foster care.…”

Piloting the Use of Artificial Intelligence to Enhance HIV Prevention Interventions for Youth Experiencing Homelessness

“…When social networks are comprised largely of other youth exhibiting deviant behaviors, the risks associated with living on the streets are magnified for individuals operating within those networks (McMorris, Tyler, Whitbeck, & Hoyt, 2002;Rice, Milburn, & Monro, 2011). Negative peer influences in the street-based networks of youth experiencing homelessness span a wide spectrum of risk-taking behaviors, including violence (Petering, Rice, & Rhoades, 2016), mental health (Fulginiti, Rice, Hsu, Rhoades, & Winetrobe, 2016), substance use (Barman-Adhikari, Rice, Winetrobe, & Petering, 2015;Yoshioka-Maxwell & Rice, 2017), and sexual risk-taking (Barman-Adhikari, Hsu, Begun, Portillo, & Rice, 2017).…”