ERIC Number: EJ808579
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008-Oct
Pages: 15
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0140-1971
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Available Date: N/A
Countervailing Social Network Influences on Problem Behaviors among Homeless Youth
Rice, Eric; Stein, Judith A.; Milburn, Norweeta
Journal of Adolescence, v31 n5 p625-639 Oct 2008
The impact of countervailing social network influences (i.e., pro-social, anti-social or HIV risk peers) on problem behaviors (i.e., HIV drug risk, HIV sex risk or anti-social behaviors) among 696 homeless youth was assessed using structural equation modeling. Results revealed that older youth were less likely to report having pro-social peers and were more likely to have HIV risk and anti-social peers. A longer time homeless predicted fewer pro-social peers, more anti-social peers, and more HIV risk peers. Heterosexual youth reported fewer HIV risk peers and more pro-social peers. Youth recruited at agencies were more likely to report pro-social peers. Having pro-social peers predicted less HIV sex risk behavior and less anti-social behavior. Having HIV risk peers predicted all problem behavior outcomes. Anti-social peers predicted more anti-social behavior. Once the association between anti-social and HIV risk peers was accounted for independently, having anti-social peers did not independently predict sex or drug risk behaviors. (Contains 2 figures and 2 tables.)
Descriptors: Homeless People, Social Behavior, Structural Equation Models, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Social Networks, Peer Influence, Behavior Problems, Youth, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), Sexual Orientation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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Author Affiliations: N/A