Social network risk and resiliency factors for hard drug use among former foster care youth experiencing homelessness

Background: Homeless former foster care youth are a vulnerable population about which little is known. Understanding resiliency factors is important for preventing risk behavior in this population. Methods: From October 2011-June 2013 more than 1,000 homeless youth were interviewed at three drop-in centers in the Los Angeles area; this analysis examines hard drug use among the 352 youth with a history of foster care. Results: The most commonly reported hard drugs in the past month were: Methamphetamine (31.0%), prescription drug misuse (PDM) (17.5%), cocaine (16.5%), and heroin (10.8%). Methamphetamine use was associated with male gender, being non-heterosexual, having a recent suicide attempt, and more symptoms of depression. African American youth were less likely to use methamphetamines, as were those with a greater proportion of social network members (alters) who were relatives or staff at the drop-in agency. PDM was less likely among African American and Latino youth, and more likely among those youth currently utilizing therapy services. Cocaine use was associated with recent suicide attempts and with having a greater proportion of alters who had recently been drunk or engaged in concurrent sex. Heroin use was more likely among those with recent suicide attempts, and less likely among youth who had more alters currently in school or who provided the respondent with advice. Conclusions: Hard drug use prevention interventions are necessary for this vulnerable population. Research is needed to examine how protective characteristics of social networks may be leveraged to improve resilience for homeless former foster care youth.