Developing and applying innovative methodologies of longitudinal network data and agent-based modelling to public health

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Everyone is embedded within a social network of friends, work colleagues and family. The people who we are surrounded by can influence our thoughts and choices we make in life, and indeed our health and well-being. This study investigates the effect that the social networks within a school environment have on adolescent risk-taking behaviours by looking at the self-reported levels of alcohol, tobacco and drug use as well as the evolving social networks the young people are embedded in. Friendships can influence adolescent health behaviours, but are these due to peer selection (like associates with like) or peer influence (adoption of peer behaviours)? The aim of this study is to explore further these ideas and investigate how the school environment, gender segregation of friendships, and key personal or parental attributes, might influence the peer network and affect the magnitude or ?mechanisms? of the network effects on substance use behaviour. This study will use a number of different research methods including longitudinal network analysis and agent-based modelling to provide a clearer understanding about the effects of social networks on substance misuse and to enhance public health interventions.