The Impact of Closeness to Non-Parental Adults in Social Networks on Substance Use among Young Men Who Have Sex with Men

ABSTRACT

Non-parental adults (NPAs), or adults in social networks other than parents and romantic/sexual partnersare an under-examined potential resource in the lives of young men who have sex with men (YMSM). Using survey and social network data from a sample (n = 169) of ethnically diverse YMSM in a Midwestern city, this article examines longitudinal associations between emotional closeness to NPAs and subsequent substance use among YMSM. After controlling for race/ethnicity, closer relationships with NPAs were associated with a lower likelihood of binge-drinking and marijuana use six months later. In an exploratory set of analyses, the level of connectedness between NPAs and other members of social networks was not associated with substance use. Future studies should continue to examine the protective role of NPAs for both substance use and other health behaviors among YMSM.

KEYWORDS:

• Non-parental adults
• young men who have sex with men
• alcohol use
• marijuana use
• social networks
• emotional closeness
• resilience

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a grant from the National Institute of Drug Abuse [R01DA025548-02S1; PI: Mustanski], which was a competitive revision award to a parent grant [R01DA025548: Dual PIs: Mustanski and Garofalo]. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the funding agency.