Incarceration history, social network composition, and substance use among homeless youth in Los Angeles.

ABSTRACT: Background: Homeless youth in the United States have high rates of substance use. Existing research has identified social network composition and street-associated stressors as contributing factors. Incarceration is a highly prevalent stressor for homeless youth. Its effect on youth's social network composition and substance use, however, has been neglected. Aims: This study investigated the direct and indirect associations between incarceration history and substance use (through social networks) among homeless youth in Los Angeles, California. Methods: A sample of 1047 homeless youths were recruited between 2011 and 2013. Computerized self-administrated surveys and social network interviews were conducted to collect youth's sociodemographic characteristics, incarcerat

SUBMITTER: Zhao Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6551286 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jan-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature