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PubMed2003

Formal and informal social networks of women with serious mental illness.

The case study method was used to describe formal and informal social networks of four women with serious mental illness and to capture what happens in network interactions. Supportive roles were identified, with significant overlap between roles performed by formal and informal network members. In contrast to many studies, this study's participants all showed reciprocity in relationships. Network relationships, while supportive, often were conflicted. Themes related to stability of relationships were identified. Practice recommendations include recognition of each person's "context" apart from his or her illness and the importance of capitalizing on positive factors within the person's life context. Further research is needed to identify confirming and contradictory findings.

Female↗

PubMed2003

Betweenness centrality correlation in social networks.

Scale-free (SF) networks exhibiting a power-law degree distribution can be grouped into the assortative, dissortative, and neutral networks according to the behavior of the degree-degree correlation coefficient. Here we investigate the betweenness centrality (BC) correlation for each type of SF networks. While the BC-BC correlation coefficients behave similarly to the degree-degree correlation coefficients for the dissortative and neutral networks, the BC correlation is nontrivial for the assortative ones found mainly in social networks. The mean BC of neighbors of a vertex with BC g(i) is almost independent of g(i), implying that each person is surrounded by almost the same influential environments of people no matter how influential the person may be.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2004

Using social networks to understand and prevent substance use: a transdisciplinary perspective.

We review findings from research on smoking, alcohol, and other drug use, which show that the network approaCh is instructive for understanding social influences on substance use. A hypothetical network is used throughout to illustrate different network findings and provide a short glossary of terms. We then describe how network analysis can be used to design more effective prevention programs and to monitor and evaluate these programs. The article closes with a discussion of the inherent transdisciplinarity of social network analysis.

Biomedical Research↗

PubMed2004

Social network predictors of bullying and victimization.

This study examined whether bullies, victims, and aggressive victims (those who are both bullies and victims) differed on classroom social network variables, gender, and ethnicity. Survey data were collected from a primarily Latino and Asian sample of 1,368 Southern California 6th graders (mean age = 11.3 years). Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether network characteristics and ethnicity were associated with each of the outcome variables. Consistent with social cognitive theory, friends' participation in aggressive behaviors was positively associated with being a bully or an aggressive victim, and negatively associated with being a victim. Consistent with social dominance theory, the number of friendship nominations received was negatively associated with being a victim. Female bullies received fewer friendship nominations, but had a higher proportion of reciprocated friendships. Victims were disproportionately Asian. The findings suggest that bullying prevention efforts targeting highly aggressive students may also diffuse to their friends, and that assertiveness training in handling aggressive situations may successfully combat bullying and aggression.

Aggression↗

PubMed2005

Incorporating a social networking approach to enhance contact tracing in a heterosexual outbreak of syphilis.

OBJECTIVE: This report describes the outcomes of a social networking approach (SNA) in a heterosexually transmitted syphilis epidemic by street nurses in British Columbia, Canada. METHODS: Street nurses used SNA interviewing cues, environmental observation, peer outreach, serial interviewing, conducted blood tests, and offered treatment on the street. Rates of cases of syphilis identified by outreach nurses and cases linked to another case were compared before and after adoption of an SNA. RESULTS: SNA resulted in a significantly increased proportion of cases identified by the street nurses (p = 0.01) and increased the percentage of cases linked to a previous case (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: This preliminary study confirms that SNA can increase the number of cases and contacts identified in an epidemic of a sexually transmitted disease in a vulnerable, hard to reach population.

British Columbia↗

PubMed1990

[Smoking habits among children aged 11-15 years in 1988. A study of smoking habits and their connection with social background factors, health, satisfaction and social networks].

A total of 1,671 schoolchildren aged 11, 13 and 15 years answered an anonymous questionnaire in 1988 on their social backgrounds, social networks, health, life satisfaction and health behaviour. The proportions who had tried to smoke were 24%, 51%, and 66% in the three age groups; the proportions of smokers were 3%, 8%, and 29%, and the proportions of daily smokers were 0%, 2% and 6%. More girls than boys were smokers but there was almost no difference if place of residence, social class, or family type were considered. Almost the entire variation could be explained by best friends' smoking habits and by the number of smokers at home. Smoking was associated with poor health, fatigue, school tiredness, school performance below the average, frequent contacts with friends outside school and at night, difficulties in discussion with parents, ease in discussions with friends, and with having close friends. The proportion of smokers, among children has been steadily declining since the first Danish nationwide survey was carried out in 1959.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2007

A comparison of African American and Latina social networks as indicators for culturally tailoring a breast and cervical cancer education intervention.

As similar cancer health disparities have been documented for African American (AA) women and Latinas, it would be important to determine whether comparable interventions could be used to increase screening among these 2 culturally different populations. This paper reports research findings comparing cultural dimensions of breast and cervical cancer as they impact Latino and AA social networks and explore the feasibility of creating outreach models that may serve both groups. An existing intervention that integrates the social roles and relationships of AA women, The Witness Project(R), is used as a framework for tailoring an intervention for Latino communities. Findings and data from focus groups and key informant interviews were collected from more than 120 Latinos in Arkansas and New York City. These findings are analyzed using the Pen-3 Model, categorized, and compared with previous social role and network information from AA women as reflected in the Witness Project(R) intervention model. The findings from this study demonstrated variations between AA women and Latinas with regard to roles and gender relationships while demonstrating similarities with regard to spiritual beliefs and attitudes toward cancer. We applied our results to culturally tailor and develop a breast and cervical cancer intervention, Esperanza y Vidatrade mark (Hope and Life), that incorporates Latino values and social relationships. This study demonstrates that a proven education and outreach model for AA women may provide a framework for creating a culturally appropriate intervention for Latinas. Further research is needed to study the efficacy of the new model. Cancer 2007. (c) 2006 American Cancer Society.

Black or African American↗

PubMed2004

The impact of day hospital closure on social networks, clinical status, and service use: a naturalistic experiment.

OBJECTIVE: Little research is conducted on service closures. We examined the social, clinical and service use impact of the closure of a partial hospitalisation service (day hospital) on its users. METHODS: Patients attending the closing day hospital were studied at closure and one year after, and compared to patients at an unchanged day hospital. RESULTS: The closure did not increase use of inpatient beds, primary care or emergency room. Overall clinical improvements were similar for both groups as were costs. Social networks of the discharged patients decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Closures of services need to be as carefully evaluated as new developments.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Learning in social networks and contraceptive choice.

A puzzling observation in the diffusion of modern fertility control is the persistent diversity in contraceptive practices across communities or social strata. I propose a model of "learning in social networks" to explain this diversity with the random dynamics of word-of-mouth communication. Women are uncertain about the merits of modern contraception and estimate the different qualities of available method based on imprecise information from network partners. Their contraceptive choices are determined by this estimate and by private knowledge about one's personal characteristics. This process of social learning leads to path-dependent adoption of fertility control within, and diversity in contraceptive practices across villages or social strata.

Bayes Theorem↗

PubMed1990

Social network characteristics and the duration of primary relationships after entry into long-term care.

This research extends the study of social network analysis into the context of long-term care. Network density, reciprocity, and intensity were hypothesized to explain duration of the ties between frail elderly persons and their networks after they enter a residential care home (RCH), which is a type of long-term care facility. Using longitudinal data from interviews with 81 new, elderly RCH residents and 75 of their closest others, multiple regression analyses showed that the density of frail elderly people's networks has the strongest effect on tie duration. Secondary direct effects were also shown for reciprocity, mental status, being state-financed, White, and having returned home. The intensity of elderly people's ties does not explain tie duration.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Social networks and psychological disability among housed and homeless users of self-help agencies.

We look at the effects of psychological disability on social networks and support of homeless and non-homeless individuals. We analyze a survey of 310 long-term users of client-run mental health agencies. Psychological disability is negatively associated with network characteristics for housed individuals, but not for the homeless. There is a positive relationship between psychological distress and network size for the homeless who receive SSI while homeless individuals who do not receive SSI show a negative, non-significant association. We suggest the financial resources of SSI enable network members to become expressively involved with homeless individuals with relatively more psychological disturbance.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Social networks of elderly migrants: on the relevance of familial and intra-ethnic support].

In a research project elderly migrants were interviewed about the size and composition of their social networks. First, the results indicate variations of network size by age, family status and gender: older, single and female participants have smaller networks than younger, married and male participants. Second, elderly migrants often have large sociability networks, but with regard to instrumental and emotional support the interviewed elderly migrants only can dispose of a few, mainly close family network members. Finally, a strong orientation of the elderly migrants to persons of their own ethnic group could be observed: with regard to all types of social support a distinct superiority of intraethnic relationships was found. Considering the predicted overburdening and reduction of the ethnic family-oriented support networks of the elderly migrants, the socio-political system must provide appropriate measures.

Acculturation↗

PubMed2006

African American Oxford House residents: sources of abstinent social networks.

The current study found that African American residents of Oxford House (OH) used Narcotics Anonymous (NA) at high rates, and that both OH and NA strongly contributed to abstinent social networks. Having siblings and other family members in one's network predicted substance use among network members, whereas spouses, parents, and children did not have an effect on the rate of substance use. These findings suggest that OH and NA may be effective sources of abstinent social support for African Americans recovering from substance abuse. However, family members are well represented in the support networks of African Americans in OH.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Social networks and the spread of infectious diseases: the AIDS example.

Conceptualizing a population as a set of individuals linked together to form a large social network provides a fruitful perspective for better understanding the spread of some infectious diseases. Data related to AIDS (the acquired immune deficiency syndrome) were used to illustrate the potential usefulness of a network approach in evaluating the infectious agent hypothesis when studying a disease or disease outbreak of unknown etiology and in developing strategies to limit the spread of an infectious agent transmitted through personal relationships.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1993

Social network, support and influence: relationships with drug use and protective AIDS behavior.

One reason for difficulty in long-term maintenance of behavior changes by injection drug users (IDUs) is the concomitant support or distraction from the IDUs social environment. This study explored the relationship of social factors--e.g., encouragement from friends, beliefs about social norms--with drug injection behaviors. Subjects were clients in a short-term residential detoxification program. Self-reports of drug and AIDS-protective behaviors were gathered at baseline and at least 6 months following a trial of enhanced vs. informational educational interventions. Results provide support both for the general hypothesis about the influence of peers and drug-use partners prior and subsequent to detoxification and for the greater effectiveness of the enhanced intervention on social factors. Particularly important to improved drug use behavior were decreased number of friends who inject drugs (social network), increased number of people to talk with when upset (social support), and increased argument skills about safe drug use (social influence).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed1987

Social network ties and mortality among the elderly in the Alameda County Study.

Seventeen-year mortality data from the Alameda County Study are used to examine the relative importance of social ties as predictors of survival at different ages, ranging from 38-94 years at baseline. Previous analyses of Alameda County data by Berkman and Syme (Am J Epidemiol 1979;109:186-204) have shown that such ties are significant predictors of lower nine-year mortality risk for persons aged less than 70 years at baseline. Proportional hazard analyses indicate that social ties are also significant predictors of lower 17-year mortality risks for those aged 70 and older after adjusting for age, sex, race, baseline health status, perceived health, depression, and health practices (relative hazard = 1.49 for Berkman-Syme Social Network Index; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-2.05). Comparisons of the relative importance of four types of social ties reveal an interesting shift across the age groups. Marital status assumes primary importance for those aged less than 60 years at baseline (relative hazard = 1.6 and 1.4 for those aged 38-49 and 50-59, respectively; 95% CI = 1.12-2.29 and 1.02-1.91, respectively). However, ties with close friends and/or relatives assume greater importance for those aged 60 and older (relative hazard = 1.17 comparing those reporting five or more contacts per month to the more socially isolated who report less than five such contacts per month; 95% CI = 0.98-1.89).

Adult↗

PubMed1989

Influences of the social network on choice and duration of breast-feeding in mothers of preterm infants.

A prospective analytic study was conducted to examine the influences of the social network on the choice and duration of breast-feeding among 125 mothers of preterm infants. The Influence of Specific Referents (ISR) Scale was used to measure mothers' perceptions of the wishes of seven social referents regarding feeding choice and to assess mothers' motivation to comply with their referents' wishes. Referents included family members, friends, and health care professionals. Mothers choosing to breast-feed reported greater influence from referents than those choosing to formula-feed. Among the 88 mothers who initiated breast-feeding or expression, the number of supports reported by mothers was the most influential factor on duration of lactation. Women with no source of support were six times more likely to cease lactation than women with six sources of support.

Breast Feeding↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Limitations and alternatives to the implementation of a program for drug users at risk of HIV infection using the Social Network Approach].

The authors describe the development of a preventive program focused on intravenous drug users at risk of HIV infection, using the Social Network Approach as the intervention model. The authors describe the project's steps in a large university hospital in southern Brazil, emphasizing the unique methods and techniques developed by the treatment staff. Problems encountered during the project development are discussed, aimed at identifying the reasons why the program only achieved partial success. The authors identify critical issues, such as the use of a new technique not previously tried in Brazil, difficulties in maintaining IV drug users in treatment, lack of infrastructure for walk-in treatment, and the challenge of motivating staff and patients to continue treatment. The authors conclude by listing suggestions aimed at facilitating the development of new projects based on the same conceptual model.

Community Networks↗