Barman-Adhikari et al.
Abstract
Preliminary studies with homeless youth find surprisingly pervasive social media use and
suggest youths’ online interactions may be associated with their HIV-related risk and
protective behaviors. As homeless youth are transient and difficult to engage in place-based
services, social media may represent a novel venue for intervention. A critical first step in
intervention development is gaining greater understanding of how homeless youth use social
media especially as it relates to whom they connect to and around what topics. Given the
salience of Social Networking Sites in the lives of these otherwise difficult to reach
adolescents, and their potential to disseminate prevention interventions, this study assessed
associations between online social networking technology use and HIV risk behaviors among
homeless youth in Los Angeles, California. Homeless youth ages 13 through 24 (N=1046)
were recruited through three drop-in centers and surveyed about their social media use and
self-reported HIV-related risk behaviors. Results suggest that social media use is widely
prevalent among this population, and the content of these online interactions is associated
with whether or not they engage in risk or protective behaviors. Implications for interventions
and further research are discussed.
Prevalentie van het probleem: 1,5 tot 3 miljoen jongeren in de VS krijgen te maken met
dakloosheid.
SNSs = social networking sites
Doel: de associaties tussen online social networking technology use en HIV risicogedrag
onderzoeken, onder dakloze jongeren in LA. Zij maken meer gebruik van technologie dan wij
denken (80% wekelijks, 25% dagelijks meer dan 1 uur) en dit kan negatieve gevolgen
hebben (roken en drinken), maar ook helpen bij preventie- en interventieprogramma’s.
Huidige studie
The present study expands much needed research on SNS use among homeless
youth, in particular, the extent to which homeless youth use SNSs (i.e. prevalence),
who they connect to on SNSs (i.e. social connectedness) and the conversations (i.e.
content) that they report having on SNSs. Understanding who youth connect to on
SNSs and what material they share within their networks can provide important
insight into the primacy of these messages and how social networking communication
and behaviors can be considered in the context of intervention design and
implementation.
Cross-sectioneel onderzoek met vier verschillende ‘waves’ met 6 maanden ertussen.
Metingen
Achtergrondkenmerken zoals leeftijd, etniciteit, geslacht, seksuele oriëntatie, etc.
Social media use hoevaak ze gebruik maken van SNSs
Social media connections met wie ze contact hebben
Social media communication discussies over bepaalde onderwerpen
HIV-related risk and protective behaviors condoomgebruik, HIV-tests, hoeveelheid
partners, sex met iemand die ze online hebben ontmoet
Resultaten
Social media use was pervasive in this sample. Approximately one-fifth of the sample
reported using social media several times a day (19.33%); one-third reported using
social media daily (15.76%) or every couple of days (14.57%). Youth reported
contacting a variety of people using social media; 45.60% reported talking to street
peers, 62.73% reported talking to family members, 41.74% reported talking to
partners, 70.81% reported talking to friends from home, 23.40% reported talking to
people met online, and 10.01% reported talking to a caseworker.
Abstract
Preliminary studies with homeless youth find surprisingly pervasive social media use and
suggest youths’ online interactions may be associated with their HIV-related risk and
protective behaviors. As homeless youth are transient and difficult to engage in place-based
services, social media may represent a novel venue for intervention. A critical first step in
intervention development is gaining greater understanding of how homeless youth use social
media especially as it relates to whom they connect to and around what topics. Given the
salience of Social Networking Sites in the lives of these otherwise difficult to reach
adolescents, and their potential to disseminate prevention interventions, this study assessed
associations between online social networking technology use and HIV risk behaviors among
homeless youth in Los Angeles, California. Homeless youth ages 13 through 24 (N=1046)
were recruited through three drop-in centers and surveyed about their social media use and
self-reported HIV-related risk behaviors. Results suggest that social media use is widely
prevalent among this population, and the content of these online interactions is associated
with whether or not they engage in risk or protective behaviors. Implications for interventions
and further research are discussed.
Prevalentie van het probleem: 1,5 tot 3 miljoen jongeren in de VS krijgen te maken met
dakloosheid.
SNSs = social networking sites
Doel: de associaties tussen online social networking technology use en HIV risicogedrag
onderzoeken, onder dakloze jongeren in LA. Zij maken meer gebruik van technologie dan wij
denken (80% wekelijks, 25% dagelijks meer dan 1 uur) en dit kan negatieve gevolgen
hebben (roken en drinken), maar ook helpen bij preventie- en interventieprogramma’s.
Huidige studie
The present study expands much needed research on SNS use among homeless
youth, in particular, the extent to which homeless youth use SNSs (i.e. prevalence),
who they connect to on SNSs (i.e. social connectedness) and the conversations (i.e.
content) that they report having on SNSs. Understanding who youth connect to on
SNSs and what material they share within their networks can provide important
insight into the primacy of these messages and how social networking communication
and behaviors can be considered in the context of intervention design and
implementation.
Cross-sectioneel onderzoek met vier verschillende ‘waves’ met 6 maanden ertussen.
Metingen
Achtergrondkenmerken zoals leeftijd, etniciteit, geslacht, seksuele oriëntatie, etc.
Social media use hoevaak ze gebruik maken van SNSs
Social media connections met wie ze contact hebben
Social media communication discussies over bepaalde onderwerpen
HIV-related risk and protective behaviors condoomgebruik, HIV-tests, hoeveelheid
partners, sex met iemand die ze online hebben ontmoet
Resultaten
Social media use was pervasive in this sample. Approximately one-fifth of the sample
reported using social media several times a day (19.33%); one-third reported using
social media daily (15.76%) or every couple of days (14.57%). Youth reported
contacting a variety of people using social media; 45.60% reported talking to street
peers, 62.73% reported talking to family members, 41.74% reported talking to
partners, 70.81% reported talking to friends from home, 23.40% reported talking to
people met online, and 10.01% reported talking to a caseworker.
