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Chassman S, Barman-Adhikari A, Hsu HT, Ferguson KM, Narendorf SC, Maria DS, Shelton J, Petering R, Bender K. Prevalence and Correlates of Illicit Substance Use Among Young Adults Experiencing Homelessness in Seven Cities Across the United States. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/00220426211049355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background Young adults experiencing homelessness (YAEH) engage in substantially higher substance use rates than housed young adults. This current study builds on previous research by investigating the prevalence of and salient correlates of illicit substance use across a seven-city sample. Methods This study used the Homeless Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey (HYRRS) dataset, n=1426 Young adults experiencing homelessness to study patterns and correlates of illicit substance use. Results Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess correlates of substance use. Study site, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, history of suicidal ideation, use of specific substances, and trading sex for drugs were associated with five types of illicit substance use (ecstasy, cocaine, crack, methamphetamine, and injection drug use). Conclusion Findings indicate that substance use interventions for YAEH must be multifaceted, addressing illicit and multiple substance use, along with the myriad factors associated with substance use among this at-risk group.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hsun-Ta Hsu
- School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | | | - Sarah C. Narendorf
- Graduate College of Social Work, University of Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Diane Santa Maria
- Department of Research, Cizik School of Nursing, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jama Shelton
- Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Kimberly Bender
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, Denver, CO, USA
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Knerich V, Jones AA, Seyedin S, Siu C, Dinh L, Mostafavi S, Barr AM, Panenka WJ, Thornton AE, Honer WG, Rutherford AR. Social and structural factors associated with substance use within the support network of adults living in precarious housing in a socially marginalized neighborhood of Vancouver, Canada. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0222611. [PMID: 31545818 PMCID: PMC6756550 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0222611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The structure of a social network as well as peer behaviours are thought to affect personal substance use. Where substance use may create health risks, understanding the contribution of social networks to substance use may be valuable for the design and implementation of harm reduction or other interventions. We examined the social support network of people living in precarious housing in a socially marginalized neighborhood of Vancouver, and analysed associations between social network structure, personal substance use, and supporters' substance use. METHODS An ongoing, longitudinal study recruited 246 participants from four single room occupancy hotels, with 201 providing social network information aligned with a 6-month observation period. Use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine (crack and powder), methamphetamine, and heroin was recorded at monthly visits. Ego- and graph-level measures were calculated; the dispersion and prevalence of substances in the network was described. Logistic mixed effects models were used to estimate the association between ego substance use and peer substance use. Permutation analysis was done to test for randomness of substance use dispersion on the social network. RESULTS The network topology corresponded to residence (Hotel) with two clusters differing in demographic characteristics (Cluster 1 -Hotel A: 94% of members, Cluster 2 -Hotel B: 95% of members). Dispersion of substance use across the network demonstrated differences according to network topology and specific substance. Methamphetamine use (overall 12%) was almost entirely limited to Cluster 1, and absent from Cluster 2. Different patterns were observed for other substances. Overall, ego substance use did not differ over the six-month period of observation. Ego heroin, cannabis, or crack cocaine use was associated with alter use of the same substances. Ego methamphetamine, powder cocaine, or alcohol use was not associated with alter use, with the exception for methamphetamine in a densely using part of the network. For alters using multiple substances, cannabis use was associated with lower ego heroin use, and lower ego crack cocaine use. Permutation analysis also provided evidence that dispersion of substance use, and the association between ego and alter use was not random for all substances. CONCLUSIONS In a socially marginalized neighborhood, social network topology was strongly influenced by residence, and in turn was associated with type(s) of substance use. Associations between personal use and supporter's use of a substance differed across substances. These complex associations may merit consideration in the design of interventions to reduce risk and harms associated with substance use in people living in precarious housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena Knerich
- Departments of Computer Science, and Cultural Anthropology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Andrea A. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sam Seyedin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christopher Siu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Louie Dinh
- Department of Computer Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Sara Mostafavi
- Department of Statistics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Medical Genetics, Department Office, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alasdair M. Barr
- Department of Anesthesia, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - William J. Panenka
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Allen E. Thornton
- Department of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada
| | - William G. Honer
- Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Lightfoot M, Wu N, Hughes S, Desmond K, Tevendale H, Stevens R. Risk Factors for Substance Use Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness. JOURNAL OF CHILD & ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE 2018; 27:288-296. [PMID: 31537956 DOI: 10.1080/1067828x.2018.1500964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Background Youth experiencing homelessness are at high risk for frequent substance use. This study examines individual, interpersonal, and contextual factors associated with substance use among such youth, age 13-24. Methods Data were collected through computer-assisted structured interviews with participants (N=474) recruited at service agencies in Los Angeles. Results Youth had experienced over two years of homelessness on average. Almost a third used substances frequently; significant risk factors included delinquency, sensation seeking, and ongoing homelessness. Time spent in clubs and organizations was protective. Conclusions Providing housing and services to curb delinquency may help protect youth from becoming frequent substance users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nancy Wu
- Pacific Asian Counseling Services
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Barman-Adhikari A, Craddock J, Bowen E, Das R, Rice E. The Relative Influence of Injunctive and Descriptive Social Norms on Methamphetamine, Heroin, and Injection Drug Use Among Homeless Youths: The Impact of Different Referent Groups. JOURNAL OF DRUG ISSUES 2017. [DOI: 10.1177/0022042617726080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The current study assessed the relative influence of both injunctive and descriptive norms in the context of different referent groups (i.e., family, street peers, home-based peers, and staff members) on past 30-day methamphetamine, heroin, and injection drug use behaviors of homeless youth. Cross-sectional data ( N = 911) were collected from three drop-in centers in Los Angeles, California. The study consisted of two parts: a social network interview and a computerized self-administered survey. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the association of objection to drug use from referent groups (injunctive norms; that is, street-based peers, home-based peers, relatives, staff members) and drug use of referent groups (descriptive norms) with youths’ substance use behaviors. Multivariate results indicated that the role of injunctive and descriptive norms varied across the three substance use behaviors and by referent group. Findings indicate the need to carefully consider the diversity of homeless youths’ networks in designing substance use interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Rohan Das
- Creighton University, Lincoln, NE, USA
| | - Eric Rice
- University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
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Barman-Adhikari A, Hsu HT, Begun S, Portillo AP, Rice E. Condomless Sex Among Homeless Youth: The Role of Multidimensional Social Norms and Gender. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:688-702. [PMID: 27885551 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1624-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Most studies of condomless sex among homeless youth have focused on peer norms, while excluding other potentially pertinent influences. This study explored how different types of relationships contributed to norms about condomless sex and whether such norms were associated with engagement in condomless sex among homeless youth. Additionally, because recent work has noted gender differences in social networks of male and female homeless youth, gender differences in social network norms of condomless sex were also assessed. Egocentric network data were collected from homeless youth accessing services at two drop-in centers in Los Angeles, CA (N = 976). Multivariate analyses (non-stratified and stratified by gender) assessed associations between descriptive, injunctive, and communicative norms and participants' engagement in condomless sex. Multivariate analyses indicated that perception of peer condom use and communication with sexual partners were significantly associated with not engaging in condomless sex. These relationships, however, varied by gender. Implications for interventions are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Barman-Adhikari
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA.
| | - Hsun-Ta Hsu
- School of Social Work, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Stephanie Begun
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA
| | - Andrea Perez Portillo
- Graduate School of Social Work, University of Denver, 2148 S. High St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA
| | - Eric Rice
- School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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