Using Cell Phones to Understand Social Networks of Young Men

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究探索了评估个人在社会网络中如何互动的新方法。移动电话等通信技术使维护和发展网络联系变得更加容易。信息、规范和影响如何在使用这些技术的网络中流动，以及它与网络特征和网络内部风险之间的关系的性质尚不清楚。本提案探讨了评估社会网络内互动及其对新兴成年男性风险行为（如性风险、物质使用）影响的新颖和创新方法。我们将评估使用手机数据来获取社交网络成员之间互动和沟通的行为网络数据的可行性。使用与用户手机接口的现有计算机软件程序，我们将收集两种类型的数据：(1)手机通话和短信活动，以确定网络内的通信频率和模式；(2)手机的全球定位系统（GPS）位置，以确定网络成员之间面对面互动的地理距离和频率。我们将从三个社交网络中招募120名18-25岁的成年异性恋男性。训练有素的外展工作人员将采用基于场地的抽样设计，在三个最高的地点（如酒吧、公园/篮球场、理发店）招募三名指数参与者

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This study explores novel methods to assess how individuals interact within social networks. Communication technologies such as cell phones have made it easier to maintain and develop network ties. The nature of how information, norms, and influence flow through networks using these technologies and how it might relate to network characteristics and risk within networks is not well known. This proposal explores novel and innovative methods of assessing interactions within social networks and their impact on risk behavior (e.g., sexual risk, substance use) among emerging adult men. We will assess the feasibility of using data from cell phones to obtain behavioral network data about interactions and communication between members of social networks. Using an existing computer software program that interfaces with users' cell phones, we will collect two types of data: (1) cell phone call and text message activity to ascertain communication frequency and patterns within networks, and (2) global positioning system (GPS) locations from cell phones to ascertain geographical proximity and frequency of face to face interactions between network members. We will enroll 120 emerging adult heterosexual men ages 18-25 from three social networks. Trained outreach workers will recruit three index participants using a venue-based sampling design targeting locations (e.g., bars, parks/basketball courts, barber shops) in the three highest risk areas (e.g., high STD rates, high poverty) within the target city. Close friends of the index will be recruited in the study. Subsequent waves of recruitment will enroll network members of participants from the previous wave to form three sociocentric networks. All participants will complete a thorough social network assessment where they provide a complete roster of their friendship network. In addition, participants will report their overall levels of sexual risk behavor (including condom use, concurrency, number of partners) and substance use (including alcohol, marijuana, and hard drug use) and we will monitor their cell phone activity, text messaging activity, and GPS locations for 6 months. This study will assess the feasibility and utility of usig cell phone data to obtain behavioral information about networks.