Journal of Alcoholism & Drug Dependence
Open Access
ISSN: 2329-6488
ISSN: 2329-6488
Katrina M Walsemann
Tanzania
Research Article
Teen Alcohol Use and Social Networks: The Contributions of Friend Influence and Friendship Selection
Author(s): Jacob E Cheadle, Katrina M Walsemann and Bridget J Goosby
Jacob E Cheadle, Katrina M Walsemann and Bridget J Goosby
Background: We evaluated the contributions of teen alcohol use to the formation and continuation of new and existing friendships while in turn estimating the influence of friend drinking on individuals’ regular use and heavy drinking. Method: Longitudinal network analysis was used to assess the mutual influences between teen drinking and social networks among adolescents in two large Add Health schools where full network data was collected three times. Friendship processes were disaggregated into the formation of new friendships and the continuation of existing friendships in a joint model isolating friendship selection and friend influences. Results: Friends have a modest influence on one another when selection is controlled. Selection is more complicated than prior studies suggest, and is only related to new friendships and not their duration in the largest school. Alcohol use.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2329-6488.1000224