This application addresses broad Challenge Area (01) Behavior, Behavioral Change, and Prevention and specific Challenge Topic, 01-AA-103: Capturing Social Network Information for Groups at High Risk for Negative Health Behaviors. NIH has identified the Internet as a promising prevention and research modality given its appeal among young adults (YAs), its suitability for advancing prevention research, and its unique capability to diffuse prevention programs to large numbers of YAs residing in numerous geographic locations (Pequegnat, et al., 2007). Parallel to the escalation of e-technology, researchers have sought to understand the Internet's role in young adults'risk-taking behaviors. Informed by a Social Influence and Integration Model of AOD use, we contribute to the growing body of research methods to capture social network data via the Internet and assess innovative strategies to maximize the internal and external validity of web-based findings in an ethnically-diverse sample of youth transitioning into young adulthood (ages 18 to 24).
Our Specific Aims are to (1) Implement a WebRDS strategy to recruit YAs to participate in a web-survey of AOD use, and describe the recruitment and outcomes through virtual networks;(2) Characterize YAs and their virtual networks in terms of network size and cohesion, demographic composition of network members, prevalence of AOD and AOD-related activity among network members, and provision of social support, and (3) Examine the influence direct and indirect associations between YAs'virtual network characteristics and YAs'AOD use, separately and concurrently with sexual activity. We employ ego-centric network analyses and structural equation modeling to test these issues. If successful, we will diffuse our WebRDS program to research and community partners. Section 7. Project Narrative This application addresses broad Challenge Area (01) Behavior, Behavioral Change, and Prevention and specific Challenge Topic, 01-AA-103: Capturing Social Network Information for Groups at High Risk for Negative Health Behaviors. We contribute to the growing body of research methods to capture social network data via the Internet and assess innovative strategies to maximize the internal and external validity of web- based findings in an ethnically-diverse sample of youth transitioning into young adulthood (ages 18 to 24).

Public Health Relevance

This application addresses broad Challenge Area (01) Behavior, Behavioral Change, and Prevention and specific Challenge Topic, 01-AA-103: Capturing Social Network Information for Groups at High Risk for Negative Health Behaviors. We contribute to the growing body of research methods to capture social network data via the Internet and assess innovative strategies to maximize the internal and external validity of web- based findings in an ethnically-diverse sample of youth transitioning into young adulthood (ages 18 to 24).

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
NIH Challenge Grants and Partnerships Program (RC1)
Project #
1RC1DA028061-01
Application #
7807711
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-RPHB-A (58))
Program Officer
Deeds, Bethany
Project Start
2009-09-30
Project End
2011-08-31
Budget Start
2009-09-30
Budget End
2010-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2009
Total Cost
$464,720
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Michigan Ann Arbor
Department
Miscellaneous
Type
Schools of Public Health
DUNS #
073133571
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48109
Cook, Stephanie H; Bauermeister, José A; Zimmerman, Marc A (2016) Sex Differences in Virtual Network Characteristics and Sexual Risk Behavior among Emerging Adults. Emerg Adulthood 4:284-297
Hurd, Noelle M; Stoddard, Sarah A; Bauermeister, Jose A et al. (2014) Natural mentors, mental health, and substance use: Exploring pathways via coping and purpose. Am J Orthopsychiatry 84:190-200
Johns, Michelle Marie; Zimmerman, Marc; Bauermeister, Jose A (2013) Sexual attraction, sexual identity, and psychosocial wellbeing in a national sample of young women during emerging adulthood. J Youth Adolesc 42:82-95
Bernat, Debra H; Gerend, Mary A; Chevallier, Kenya et al. (2013) Characteristics associated with initiation of the human papillomavirus vaccine among a national sample of male and female young adults. J Adolesc Health 53:630-6
Cook, Stephanie H; Bauermeister, José A; Gordon-Messer, Deborah et al. (2013) Online network influences on emerging adults' alcohol and drug use. J Youth Adolesc 42:1674-86
Gordon-Messer, Deborah; Bauermeister, Jose Arturo; Grodzinski, Alison et al. (2013) Sexting among young adults. J Adolesc Health 52:301-6
Bauermeister, Jose A; Zimmerman, Marc A; Johns, Michelle M et al. (2012) Innovative recruitment using online networks: lessons learned from an online study of alcohol and other drug use utilizing a web-based, respondent-driven sampling (webRDS) strategy. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 73:834-8
Stoddard, Sarah A; Bauermeister, Jose A; Gordon-Messer, Deborah et al. (2012) Permissive norms and young adults' alcohol and marijuana use: the role of online communities. J Stud Alcohol Drugs 73:968-75