TY - JOUR
T1 - Social network characteristics and risky sexual and drug related behaviors among homeless young adults
AU - Tyler, Kimberly A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This article is based on research supported by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (K01MH064897).
PY - 2008/6
Y1 - 2008/6
N2 - Although research finds high rates of risky sexual and drug related behavior among homeless young people, little research had examined how the characteristics of their social networks encourage or constrain risky behaviors. Based on a sample of 145 homeless young adults in the Midwestern United States, results revealed that having used alcohol with at least one of their network members and the presence of more conflict was associated with engaging in a greater number of sexual risk taking behaviors. Correlates of engaging in a greater number of substance use related behaviors included having older peers within the network, having used illicit drugs with at least one network member, and the presence of more conflict. The presence of a family member in one's network, however, was associated with fewer sexual and drug related risk behaviors. Overall, the social network characteristics of youth explained significant, additional variance beyond that of youth's own characteristics and their early family histories.
AB - Although research finds high rates of risky sexual and drug related behavior among homeless young people, little research had examined how the characteristics of their social networks encourage or constrain risky behaviors. Based on a sample of 145 homeless young adults in the Midwestern United States, results revealed that having used alcohol with at least one of their network members and the presence of more conflict was associated with engaging in a greater number of sexual risk taking behaviors. Correlates of engaging in a greater number of substance use related behaviors included having older peers within the network, having used illicit drugs with at least one network member, and the presence of more conflict. The presence of a family member in one's network, however, was associated with fewer sexual and drug related risk behaviors. Overall, the social network characteristics of youth explained significant, additional variance beyond that of youth's own characteristics and their early family histories.
KW - Homeless young adults
KW - Risky drug related behaviors
KW - Risky sexual behaviors
KW - Social networks
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2007.09.004
DO - 10.1016/j.ssresearch.2007.09.004
M3 - Article
C2 - 19069065
AN - SCOPUS:43049101718
VL - 37
SP - 673
EP - 685
JO - Social Science Research
JF - Social Science Research
SN - 0049-089X
IS - 2
ER -