Associations between drug ego-network characteristics and drug use behaviors among YMSM

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) experience elevated risk of illicit drug use that is associated with negative physical and psychological health outcomes. Yet, few studies have examined drug-use networks among YMSM despite the potential impact of these networks in shaping drug use behavior. The current study provides preliminary insight into these drug-use networks by examining alcohol/drug ego-networks and partner characteristics among a diverse sample of YMSM. Participants (n = 175) provided information on 1914 alcohol and drug use partners and reported on the relationships between members of their drug use network (Density = 0.177, SD = 0.13). Multilevel models were constructed to examine the network and dyadic characteristics predicting both illicit drug use and frequency of alcohol and drug use. Results indicated that, after controlling for dyad level characteristics (e.g., frequency of contact and sexual partnership), network properties (e.g., degree, density, and effective size) were significant predictors of both illicit drug use as well as frequency of alcohol and drug use. More specifically, individuals with cohesive networks (i.e., high density or low effective size) may be less likely to use illicit drugs, compared to alcohol use alone, but tend to engage in drug and alcohol use more frequently with their drug use partners. Accordingly, these finding suggest that network characteristics have complex associations with alcohol and drug behaviors and may serve as important social contextual sources of influence on the health YMSM.