Exploring the Impact of Network Structure on Substance Use Among Homeless Former Foster Youth

Background: Homeless youth suffer from a wide range of risk factors that impact their quality of life. Emerging research suggests behavioral health differences exist between youth with and without such histories. This study aims to explore the unique network composition of homeless youth networks where foster care experience is concerned, and the impact of this structure on substance use.

Methods: The YouthNet data set was used for this analysis, comprised of a community-based sample of 814 homeless youth ages 13-25 from a drop-in center in Los Angeles, stratified by panel. Chi-square tests and OLS regressions were run to determine the unique network structure and impact of this structure on substance use among homeless former foster youth.

Results: Chi-square tests indicate that homeless former foster youth were more likely to have low connectivity within the network (kcore=1). Results of regressions indicate that the impact of structure on substance use among former foster youth varied by panel, with lifetime heroin use and recent ecstasy use being impacted in panel 1, recent and lifetime heroin use being impacted in panel 2, and recent cocaine use being impacted in panel 3.

Discussion: This study indicates that overall, location within the core of the network was associated with more lifetime methamphetamine use, recent ecstasy use, and recent and lifetime heroin use for former foster youth. These results may impact substance use interventions for homeless youth, as former foster youth location along the periphery of the network may be protective against higher rates of use.