The influence of neighborhood characteristics on the relationship between discrimination and increased drug-using social ties among illicit drug users.
Social discrimination may isolate drug users into higher risk relationships, particularly in disadvantaged neighborhood environments where drug trade occurs. We used negative binomial regression accounting for clustering of individuals within their recruitment neighborhood to investigate the relationship between high-risk drug ties with various forms of social discrimination, neighborhood minority composition, poverty and education. Results show that experiencing discrimination due to drug use is significantly associated with more drug ties in neighborhoods with fewer blacks. Future social network and discrimination research should assess the role of neighborhood social cohesion.
Department of Epidemiology, Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. ncraw@umich.edu
Natalie D
ND
Crawford
Luisa N
LN
Borrell
Sandro
S
Galea
Chandra
C
Ford
Carl
C
Latkin
Crystal M
CM
Fuller
D000328:Adult; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D063508:Social Discrimination; D012944:Social Support; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*