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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1727-1744 |
| Number of pages | 18 |
| Journal | Journal of Homosexuality |
| Volume | 68 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2021 |
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.
Keywords
- Non-parental adults
- alcohol use
- emotional closeness
- marijuana use
- resilience
- social networks
- young men who have sex with men
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Education
- Social Psychology
- Gender Studies
- General Psychology
