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体如何在社交网络内互动的新方法。移动电话等通信技术使保持和发展网络关系变得更加容易。信息、规范和影响力如何在使用这些技术的网络中流动，以及它如何与网络特征和网络内的风险相关联，其性质尚不清楚。该提案探索了评估社交网络内互动及其对风险行为影响的新颖和创新方法（例如，性风险，物质使用）在新兴的成年男子。我们将评估使用手机数据获取社交网络成员之间的互动和通信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，以及（2）来自手机的全球定位系统（GPS）位置，以确定网络成员之间的地理接近度和面对面互动的频率。我们将从三个社交网络中招募120名年龄在18-25岁的新兴成年异性恋男性。经过培训的外展工作人员将使用基于场地的抽样设计招募三名指数参与者，酒吧、公园/篮球场、理发店）， 风险区域（例如，性传播疾病发病率高，贫困率高）。研究中将招募指数的亲密朋友。随后的招募浪潮将招募前一波参与者的网络成员，形成三个社会中心网络。所有参与者将完成一个全面的社会网络评估，他们提供了一个完整的名册，他们的友谊网络。此外，参与者将报告他们的总体性风险水平（包括安全套使用，并发，伴侣数量）和物质使用（包括酒精，大麻和硬毒品使用），我们将监测他们的手机活动，短信活动和GPS位置6个月。本研究将评估使用行动电话资料来取得网路行为资讯的可行性与效用。

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.