Social network correlates of education and employment service use among youth experiencing homelessness: A longitudinal study.
Type
Year published
Journal
Title
Social network correlates of education and employment service use among youth experiencing homelessness: A longitudinal study.
Volume and issue
129, 106212
Abstract
The present study used a diffusion of innovations framework to examine social network correlates of service use over a three-month period. Positive staff relationships, personal network exposure, and structural network measures were examined. Participants were 253 youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) (Mage = 21.9, SD = 2.2) participating in an HIV-prevention trial at three drop-in centers in Los Angeles. A significant minority of YEH used education (23.6%) or employment (33.7%) services at wave 1, with modest increases at waves 2 and 3. Indegree centrality was associated with education service use at wave 1. Positive staff relationships were associated with employment service use at wave 1, and outdegree was associated with employment service use at wave 3. In addition, education level, housing situation, LGBTQ+ identity, drop-in center location, and duration of drop-in center use were related to service usage. Youth who occupy more central network positions and/or report positive relationships with staff are more likely to use higher-level drop-in services. Network approaches to engaging youth in services should be considered along with other individual and contextual factors.