Year: 2006
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: We analyse the co-evolution of social networks and substance use behaviour of adolescentsand address the problem of separating the effects of homophily and assimilation. Adolescentswho prefer friends with the same substance-use behaviour exhibit the homophily principle.Adolescents who adapt their substance use behaviour to match that of their friends displaythe assimilation principle. We use the Siena software to illustrate the co-evolution offriendship networks, smoking, cannabis use and drinking among sport-active teenagers.Results indicate strong network selection effects occurring with a preference for same sexreciprocated relationships in closed networks. Assimilation occurs among cannabis andalcohol but not tobacco users. Homophily prevails among tobacco and alcohol users.Cannabis use influences smoking behavior positively (i.e., increasing cannabis increasessmoking). Weaker effects include drinkers smoking more and cannabis users drinking more.Homophily and assimilation are not significant mechanisms with regard to sporting activityfor any substance. There is, however, a significant reduction of sporting activity amongsmokers. Also, girls engaged in less sport than boys. Some recommendations for healthpromotion programmes are made.
Institution: Edinburgh Napier University
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2142384044