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Publication Date: 2016
Background
Individuals transitioning from homelessness to housing face challenges to reducing alcohol, drug and HIV risk behaviors. To aid in this transition, this study developed and will test a computer-assisted intervention that delivers personalized social network feedback by an intervention facilitator trained in motivational interviewing (MI). The intervention goal is to enhance motivation to reduce high risk alcohol and other drug (AOD) us...
Publication Date: 2014
Studies of homeless individuals typically sample subjects from few types of sites or regions within a metropolitan area. This article focuses on the biases that can result from such a practice. We obtained a probability sample of 419 homeless youth from 41 sites (shelters, drop-in centers, and streets) in four regions of Los Angeles County (LAC). We found that restricting the frame to only certain types of sites or geographic regions biased the s...
Publication Date: 2013
In this study, we used a mixed methods approach to explore the determinants of relationship patterns and risky sex among homeless men living in downtown Los Angeles. This involved analysis of qualitative interviews focused on gender ideology and sexual events (n = 30) as well as structured interviews (n = 305) focused on homeless men’s sexual partners, sexual behaviors, and social networks. We found that men valued committed relationships but wer...
Publication Date: 2012
We conducted qualitative interviews (n = 30) with homeless men using shelters and meal lines in downtown Los Angeles (Skid Row) to better understand how such men view the risks of sexual encounters with female partners (Authors).
Homeless men in the U.S. represent a large and growing population, and have elevated rates of HIV/AIDS and sexual risk behaviors, including unprotected sex with women. We conducted qualitative interviews (n = 30) with ho...
Unprotected Sex Among Heterosexually Active Homeless Men: Results from a Multi-level Dyadic Analysis
Publication Date: 2012
This research uses multi-level modeling to investigate the context of unprotected sex among heterosexually active homeless men in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles (Authors).
Publication Date: 2012
CONTEXT
Pregnancy rates are substantially higher among homeless youth than in the general population of youth, yet little is known about homeless adolescents’ and young adults’ pregnancy-related attitudes and behaviors.
METHODS
Pregnancy-related attitudes and behaviors were examined among two samples of sexually active homeless 13–24-year-olds in Los Angeles County. Data from 37 semistructured interviews conducted in March–April 2011 were analyze...
Publication Date: 2012
Homeless youth lack the traditional support networks of their housed peers, which increases their risk for poor health outcomes. Using a multilevel dyadic analytic approach, this study identified characteristics of social contacts, relationships, and social networks associated with the provision of tangible and emotional support to homeless youth (N = 419, M age = 20.09, SD = 2.80). Support providers were likely to be family members, sex partners...
Publication Date: 2012
This study examined the association between individual (HIV risk) and structural (service access) factors and past year HIV testing. (Authors)
Publication Date: 2012
This study uses an event-based approach to examine individual, relationship, and contextual correlates of heterosexual condom use among homeless men. Structured interviews were conducted with a predominantly African American sample of 305 men recruited from meal lines in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles. (Authors)
Publication Date: 2011
Little is known about the social networks of homeless youth in emerging adulthood despite the importance of this information for interventions to reduce health risks. This study examined the composition of social networks, and the risks and supports present within them, in a random sample of 349 homeless youth (33.4% female, 23.9% African American, 17.7% Hispanic) between the ages of 18 and 24. Social network members who were met on the street we...
Publication Date: 2011
Background Homeless men may be at particular risk for the negative health effects of substance use. This cross-sectional study investigates the individual and personal network risk factors associated with substance use in this vulnerable population. Methods Participants were a representative probability sample of 305 heterosexually active homeless men interviewed from meal programs in the Skid Row region of Los Angeles, CA. Interviews as...
Publication Date: 2010
Methods: Homeless youth aged 13–24 were randomly sampled from 41 service and street sites in Los Angeles County (N = 419). Predictors of substance use were examined using linear regression analysis (for average number of drinks and average number of cigarettes per day) and negative binomial regression analysis (for frequency of past month marijuana use). Results: Youth with more substance users in their networks reported greater alcohol, cigar...
Publication Date: 2006
In this article, the authors present a statistically efficient, cost-effective way of collecting a probability sample in the presence of certain field burden constraints: restrictions on the maximum number of participants that can be sampled within a given institution and a small population size relative to the sample size dictated by the study aims. The authors suggest the use of disproportionate stratified random sampling as an alternative to t...
Publication Date: 2009
Background: Substance use poses a significant threat to the health of women, and homeless women are more likely to use alcohol and drugs than other women. Addressing risk factors in this population requires a focus on the social context of substance use among homeless women. Methods: Participants were 445 homeless women who were randomly sampled and interviewed in shelter settings about the characteristics of their personal networks. Binomial...
Publication Date: 2005
Alcohol and drug use are significant public health problems facing homeless women, but few prospective studies have examined risk and protective factors for substance use in this population. This 6-month prospective study identified psychosocial, behavioral, and economic predictors of drinking to intoxication, crack use, and marijuana use in a probability sample of 402 women living in temporary shelter settings in Los Angeles County with a simp...