Online Program

279808
Tracking teens with GPS-enabled cell phones to study contextual exposures and adolescent alcohol and risk behavior


Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 10:50 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.

Hilary F. Byrnes, Ph.D., Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA
Brenda A. Miller, Ph.D., Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA
Sarah Wiehe, MD, MPH, Children's Health Services Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Douglas J. Wiebe, PhD, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Christopher Morrison, MPH, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Lillian Remer, MA, GISP, Prevention Research Center, Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, Oakland, CA
Background: Teens' increased freedom to explore different environments potentially increases exposure to social disorganization, increasing risks for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use and delinquency. Prior studies consider context as a static area around teens' homes (e.g., census tracts). A more salient approach may be to measure the “dynamic context,” places teens experience in daily activities, and determine its relation to ATOD/delinquency. Methods: In this pilot study, teens (N=17) aged 16-17 (52.9% female) carried GPS-enabled smartphones for one week during which their locations were tracked. Dynamic contexts were created for each participant by connecting GPS points in time order and adding a spatial buffer (100m) around their multiday route. Social disorganization data (measured by a census SES index and alcohol outlet data) were appended to routes. Teens completed online surveys and texts regarding their current behaviors. Results: Teens' dynamic contexts were land areas that intersected 49.5 census tracts on average and included minimal spatial intersection (4.6%) with their residential neighborhood (census tract). Dynamic contexts contained 9.4 times more alcohol outlets than present in their residential tract. However, there were no significant differences between these two areas in the SES index. In multivariable analyses, teens exposed to more alcohol outlets in their dynamic contexts were more likely to be lifetime drinkers. Linear regressions showed that the SES index in dynamic contexts was related to lifetime delinquency. Conclusions: Findings show the importance of considering dynamic contexts when examining high risk teen behaviors. This must be understood to inform prevention efforts.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe differences between teens' dynamic contexts and residential neighborhoods. Identify relationships between teens' dynamic contexts and ATOD use/delinquency.

Keyword(s): Adolescents, Alcohol Use

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: My work has given me significant experience and expertise conducting research on neighborhood influences on adolescent alcohol use and other problem behaviors. My research has examined how neighborhoods impact adolescent alcohol use and delinquency, parent behaviors, and program recruitment. In addition, my professional career has given me a solid background in the prevention of alcohol and drug use.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4080.0: Alcohol Policy: What Works?