(WITHDRAWN) How Do Changes in Social Networks Impact the Substance Use Behaviors of Young Men Who Have Sex with Men?

Background and Purpose: Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) report significantly higher rates of binge drinking behaviors and marijuana use compared to their heterosexual peers. Previous research indicates that the substance use behaviors of YMSM are significantly impacted by different characteristics of their social network. However, these relationships have been investigated in cross-sectional surveys and not examined longitudinally. Therefore, the aim of the current study is to understand how changes in characteristics of an individual’s social network may impact current substance use behaviors in a probability sample of YMSM.

Methods: In 2017, 124 YMSM (18-24 year-olds) were recruited to participate in an online study using probability-based sampling methods, in Los Angeles, CA. Participants were asked to answer items related to demographics, substance use, and completed an ego-centric social network questionnaire (five meaningful relationships and answered items about each alter). Participants received a gift card incentive of 15 USD. After a year, participants were contacted a second time (final N=68) and asked to answer the same items: demographics, substance use, and social network questionnaire. Social network data was analyzed using proportions of the individual’s social network.

Results: The sample reported an increase in the frequency of using marijuana and decrease in the frequency of binge drinking over the year. Participants reported on average an increase in the proportion of their social network that provides emotional support and instrumental support. Examination of the relationship between social network composition and substance use behaviors indicates that a change in the proportion of the social network that provides emotional support and instrumental support was associated with higher frequencies of both marijuana use and binge drinking. Participant’s social network substance use characteristics were not associated with current substance use.

Conclusions and Implications: Findings indicate that changes in social network composition have a significant impact on the substance use behaviors of YMSM. Social support may have a more profound impact on the substance use behaviors of YMSM when compared to the substance use behaviors of their peers. Future research should consider other characteristics of the social network that have a significant impact on substance use in YMSM.