Adolescent peer networks and the potential for the diffusion of intervention effects.

ABSTRACT: Many evaluation studies assess the direct effect of an intervention on individuals, but there is an increasing interest in clarifying how interventions can impact larger social settings. One process that can lead to these setting-level effects is diffusion, in which intervention effects spread from participants to non-participants. Diffusion may be particularly important when intervention participation rates are low, as they often are in universal family based prevention programs. We drew on socialization and diffusion theories to articulate how features of peer networks may promote the diffusion of intervention effects. Then, we tested the measurement properties of ten social network analytic (SNA) measures of diffusion potential. Data were from 42 networks (n = 5,784 students) involved i

SUBMITTER: Rulison KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4119091 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature