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Homeless But Connected: The Role of Heterogeneous Social Network Ties and Social Networking Technology in the Mental Health Outcomes of Street-Living Adolescents

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Abstract

Although social integration tends to have positive effects on the mental health of housed adolescents, the role of homeless adolescents’ social networks is more ambiguous. Social network data were collected from 136 homeless adolescents in Hollywood, California to examine how network ties are associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Face-to-face relationships with street-based peers were a risk factor for both anxiety and depression, while contacting home-based friends through social networking technology was found to be protective for depression. Community-based and public agencies serving homeless adolescents should consider facilitating the maintenance of these protective relationships by providing internet access.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, University of Southern California, 1149 S. Hill St., Suite 360, Los Angeles, CA, 90036, USA

    Eric Rice, Seth Kurzban & Diana Ray

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  1. Eric Rice
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  2. Seth Kurzban
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  3. Diana Ray
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Correspondence to Eric Rice.

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Rice, E., Kurzban, S. & Ray, D. Homeless But Connected: The Role of Heterogeneous Social Network Ties and Social Networking Technology in the Mental Health Outcomes of Street-Living Adolescents. Community Ment Health J 48, 692–698 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9462-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-011-9462-1

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