Social Networking Technology, Social Network Composition, and Reductions in Substance Use Among Homeless Adolescents

Abstract

Peer-based prevention programs for homeless youth are complicated by the potential for reinforcing high-risk behaviors among participants. The goal of this study is to understand how homeless youth could be linked to positive peers in prevention programming by understanding where in social and physical space positive peers for homeless youth are located, how these ties are associated with substance use, and the role of social networking technologies (e.g., internet and cell phones) in this process. Personal social network data were collected from 136 homeless adolescents in Los Angeles, CA. Respondents reported on composition of their social networks with respect to: home-based peers and parents (accessed via social networking technology; e.g., the internet, cell phone, texting), homeless peers and agency staff (accessed face-to-face) and whether or not network members were substance-using or non-substance-using. Associations between respondent’s lifetime cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine use and recent (previous 30 days) alcohol and marijuana use were assessed by the number of non-substance-using versus substance-using ties in multivariate linear regression models. 43% of adolescents reported a non-substance-using home-based tie. More of these ties were associated with less recent alcohol use. 62% of adolescents reported a substance-using homeless tie. More of these ties were associated with more recent marijuana use as well as more lifetime heroin and methamphetamine use. For homeless youth, who are physically disconnected from positive peers, social networking technologies can be used to facilitate the sorts of positive social ties that effective peer-based prevention programs require.

Child Abuse, Street Victimization, and Substance Use Among Homeless Young Adults

“…Another recent study of similarly aged homeless youth found alcohol and marijuana usage rates of 69% and 58%, respectively, whereas lifetime methamphetamine use and cocaine use were 34% and 30%, respectively (Rice et al, 2011). These prevalence rates of substance use are generally consistent with older literature on homeless youth (Greene et al, 1997).…”

The Effect of Victimization, Mental Health, and Protective Factors on Crime and Illicit Drug Use Among Homeless Young Adults

“…Research finds that homeless youth have high rates of illicit drug use (Hadland et al, 2011;Hagan & McCarthy, 1997;Rice, Milburn, & Monro, 2011). Risk factors for substance use among this population include physical and/or sexual abuse (Gallupe & Baron, 2009;Kipke, Montgomery, & MacKenzie, 1993;Tyler, Gervais, & Davidson, 2013), lower selfefficacy (Gallupe & Baron, 2009), deviant values (Baron, 2003), being a victim of partner violence (Salomon, Bassuk, & Huntington, 2002;Tyler, Melander, & Noel, 2009), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Johnson, Whitbeck, & Hoyt, 2005), and depression (Hadland et al, 2011;Slesnick et al, 2009).…”

Social network e capitale sociale degli ex ospiti di Comunità Libertà: drug-free e ricaduti a confronto

“…Inoltre, la presenza di familiari nella rete e di membri con un livello di istruzione elevato costituiva un fattore protettivo dall'uso di sostanze. Rhoades et al [2011] hanno analizzato le reti sociali di senzatetto uomini al fine di identificare i fattori che predicono l'uso di droga in questa categoria di soggetti, e hanno scoperto che l'alta proporzione di membri della rete che consumavano sostanze era associata all'assunzione di droghe, corroborando i risultati di precedenti studi che hanno sottolineato la correlazione tra i legami substance using e il consumo individuale di droga [Wenzel et al, 2009;Rice et al, 2011].…”