Do Characteristics of the Online Social Networks of Maltreated Youth Predict Sexual Risk Behavior?

Background and Purpose: Maltreated youth are at higher risk for exposure to online sexual content and high-risk sexual behavior, yet characteristics of their online social networks have not been examined as a potential source of vulnerability. Many youth may use the convenience or secrecy of the internet to explore their emerging sexuality. Maltreated youth are more likely to receive online sexual advances, which in turn may result in offline sexual risk behaviors. However, no studies have examined whether network characteristics predict sexual risk outcomes for maltreated youth. The aims of the current study were: 1) to test indicators of size and connectedness of online networks as predictors of intentional and unintentional exposure to online sexual content and offline high-risk sexual behavior and 2) to test maltreatment as a moderator of these associations.

Methods: The sample (n=152; 59% female; 51% maltreated) were selected from participants enrolled in a longitudinal study on the effects of maltreatment. The mean age of the sample was 21.84 (SD=1.43), 38% Black, 39% Latino, 11% White, 16% Biracial. With permission, the participants’ Facebook friend list, mutual friend list and timeline data were downloaded. Using this information, four relevant network characteristics were computed: size (total number of friends), density (number of ties between friends/total possible ties), average degree (mean number of friends for each person in the network), and percent isolates (percent not connected to anyone in the network). The Online Experiences Scale assessed Intentional and Unintentional exposure to online sexual content in the past 6 months (two subscales). High risk sexual behavior was assessed using eleven items from the Sexual Activities Questionnaire (e.g., multiple sex partners, unprotected sexual intercourse). Multiple group path modeling was used to test the four network variables (size, density, average degree, and percent isolates) as predictors of high-risk sexual behavior, unintentional exposure, and intentional exposure scales (included as manifest variables) for maltreated versus comparison groups. All analyses controlled for age, sex, and time spent on the internet.

Results: The results showed a significant moderation effect for the parameter between percent isolates and intentional exposure to online sexual content (Δχ2 (df)=5.41 (1), p<.05) and between percent isolates and offline high-risk sexual behavior (Δχ2 (df)=5.67 (1), p<.05). The coefficients indicated that, only for the maltreated group, a higher percent of isolates in the network predicted higher levels of intentional exposure to online sexual content (β= .40, p<.01) and more high-risk sexual behavior (β= .30, p<.05).

Conclusions and Implications: Young adults with maltreatment experiences are already at risk for involvement in high-risk internet behaviors. Our results show that the composition of the Facebook network, particularly a high number of isolates, may only serve to exacerbate this risk. This online network characteristic was also associated with reported offline sexual risk behaviors.  Our ability to develop risk profiles based on easily attainable information about the online social network may help to prevent or curtail associated deleterious outcomes for maltreated youth.