The Peer Context of Adolescent Substance Use: Findings from Social Network Analysis

Abstract

To examine the peer context of adolescent substance use, social network analysis was used to measure three domains of attributes of peer networks: social embeddedness, social status, and social proximity to substance users. The sample was a panel of 5,104 sixth, seventh, and eighth graders in three public school systems surveyed every 6 months for five assessments. Hierarchical generalized linear models showed that adolescents less embedded in the network, with greater status, and with closer social proximity to peer substance users were more likely to use substances. Also, adolescents in less dense networks and networks with higher smoking prevalence were more likely to smoke and use marijuana. Results establish the utility of social network analysis for measuring peer context and indicate that conventionality of relationships-having friends in the network, being liked but not too well liked, and having fewer friends who use substances-is most beneficial.Social network analysis has been identified as an appropriate method for studying the peer context of adolescent substance use (Ennett & Bauman, JOURNAL OF RESEARCH ON ADOLESCENCE, 16(2), 159-186

Testing links between childhood positive peer relations and externalizing outcomes through a randomized controlled intervention study.

“…Each of these indicators of positive peer relations may have a unique link with externalizing behavior. For instance, Ennett et al (2006) showed that popularity, dyadic friendships, and proximity each uniquely predicted adolescents' substance use. In the present study, we therefore focus on these three aspects of children's positive peer relations by studying whether each is uniquely associated with children's externalizing behavior.…”

A social network analysis of substance use among immigrant adolescents in six European cities

“…It is now well acknowledged that adolescents tend to adopt health behaviours that are similar to their friends' behaviours, and this has been shown in a range of domains such as substance use, nutrition, and sexual activity (Ajilore, 2015;Clark & Loheac, 2007;Ennett et al, 2006;Kobus, 2003;McGloin et al, 2014;Simons-Morton & Farhat, 2010; T. W. Valente et al, 2004). Moreover, exposure to substance use is associated with the structural position of an adolescent in the network.…”

“…Moreover, exposure to substance use is associated with the structural position of an adolescent in the network. Studies suggest that those with more friendships are more likely to smoke or to drink than those with fewer friends (Balsa et al, 2011;Ennett et al, 2006;Fujimoto & Valente, 2012;Huang et al, 2014;Mundt, 2011;Osgood et al, 2014;Tucker et al, 2011).…”

Peer Standing and Substance Use in Early-Adolescent Grade-Level Networks: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study

“…Peer standing also has been addressed using indicators derived from social network analysis, with an increasing number of studies that assess both peer standing and substance use among adolescents using this framework (e.g., Alexander et al, 2001;Ennett & Baumann, 1993;Ennett et al, 2006;Pearson & West, 2003;Rodkin et al, 2000;Valente et al, 2005). According to social network theory (Knoke & Kulinski, 1982;Wasserman & Faust, 1994), individuals central to a bounded network (such as a classroom or grade) are both relatively visible and well-connected to others in the network, whereas less central or marginal (peripheral) members of the network are relatively less visible and less well-connected.…”

“…For example, among children in grades 6 through 8, those who receive relatively high numbers of "friend" or "liking" nominations, including popular children (higher numbers of "friend" nominations; Valente et al, 2005) (2006) report that adolescents who are "liked but not too well-liked"-a classification perhaps most closely consistent with "average" sociometric status-are least likely to be smokers. The relative status of adolescent friends also impacts the extent to which adoption of drinking behavior occurs over time: young adolescents are more likely to adopt the drinking behavior of a unilateral friend with higher status (Bot et al, 2001), and are more susceptible to influence from well-liked others (Latane, 1981), affirming the power of elevated peer standing to influence substance use behaviors.Peer standing also has been addressed using indicators derived from social network analysis, with an increasing number of studies that assess both peer standing and substance use among adolescents using this framework (e.g., Alexander et al, 2001;Ennett & Baumann, 1993;Ennett et al, 2006;Pearson & West, 2003;Rodkin et al, 2000;Valente et al, 2005). According to social network theory (Knoke & Kulinski, 1982;Wasserman & Faust, 1994), individuals central to a bounded network (such as a classroom or grade) are both relatively visible and well-connected to others in the network, whereas less central or marginal (peripheral) members of the network are relatively less visible and less well-connected.…”