Visualizing the Influence of Social Networks on Recovery: A Mixed-Methods Social Identity Mapping Study with Recovering Adolescents

May 13, 2024Substance use & misuse

How Social Networks May Affect Recovery in Adolescents Using Social Identity Mapping

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Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

Participants reported belonging to an average of five distinct groups within their social networks.

51% of participants' social network connections drank alcohol, while 46% used other substances on average.
Larger social networks were associated with increased conflict among members.
Adolescents tended to spend more time with groups that had a higher proportion of non-substance-using peers.
Recovery high school students showed stronger linkages to non-substance-using groups compared to non-recovery high school students.
Qualitative data indicated that supportive recovery-oriented groups were important, though some youth also found support from substance-using friends.

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Social recovery capital (SRC) refers to resources and supports gained through relationships and is vital to adolescent addiction recovery. Much is known about how substance use relates to social networks, but little is known about how other dimensions of social networks influence recovery (e.g., network size/exposure, degree of conflict).This mixed-methods study sampled 28 adolescents who received treatment for alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorder (14-19 yrs.: 71% male; = 17.32 yrs., SD = 1.33; White 82%): 20 were recovery high school (RHS) students. Adolescents completed a social identity map for addiction recovery (SIM-AR), survey, and interview. Qualitative data were content analyzed and the data from the SIM-AR were quantified.On average, participants reported belonging to five distinct groups within their network (Range, 2-9; SD = 1.63; = 27.89 people, SD = 20.09). Of their social network connections, 51% drank alcohol and 46% used other substances, on average. Larger networks involved more conflict ( = 0.57). Participants were more likely to spend more time with groups that had greater proportions of non-substance-using members. These linkages were stronger for RHS than for non-RHS students. Qualitative analyses revealed that youth reported their recovery-oriented groups as supportive, but some reported that their substance-using friends also supported their recovery.SIM-AR was a useful measurement tool, and, through qualitative interviews, we identified unique aspects of youths' social networks important for further examination. Research with recovering youth should examine SRC-related elements within their networks including relationship quality, belonging, and conflict, alongside the substance use behaviors of network members. Background: Methods: M Results: M r Discussion:

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Visualizing the Influence of Social Networks on Recovery: A Mixed-Methods Social Identity Mapping Study with Recovering Adolescents

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