Sunbelt XXXI International Network for Social Network ... - INSNA

Social Snacking: Friends’ Influence On Adolescent Junk Food Intakede la Haye, Kayla; Robins, Garry; Mohr, Philip; Wilson, CarleneSocial Networks and HealthAdolescents, Social Influence, Friendship Network, Actor‐Based Stochastic Modeling, HealthSUN.AM1About half of adolescents’ consumption of low‐nutrient, energy‐dense (LNED) “junk foods” occurs out of home (Briefel et al., 2009), and research suggests thatfriends may be an important influence on this behavior. For example, friends have been found to be alike in their intake of snack foods (Feunekes et al., 1998)and high‐calorie foods (de la Haye et al., 2010). This longitudinal study tested whether these similarities result from social influence and also explored theunderlying psychological mechanisms. Three waves of data were collected over six months in one Grade 8 cohort of Australian adolescents (N = 222; 47 %female; M age 13.6), including measures of food intake and related cognitions, and friendships to grademates. Stochastic actor‐oriented models were used totest our research questions. The results indicated that participants initially formed friendships with peers whose intake of LNED food was similar to their own.Over time, junk food intake was found to decline overall, although participants’ consumption also became increasingly similar to the consumption patterns oftheir friends’. Friends’ influence on adolescents’ food intake was not found to be mediated via changes in adolescents’ attitudes, subjective peer norms, orintentions, nor were these measures, or other covariates, found to predict LNED food intake. The theoretical and practical implications are discussed.Social Structure Effects on PTSDTurner, Justin; McCulloh, Ian; Geraci, Josephhealth, ergm, social network, centralitySAT.PM1An individual's position in the social network of an isolated group of people is shown to have a significant correlation with their risk of depression, suicide, andpost traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some studies have shown a physiological change in isolated individuals over time. We present a study of 500 US Armysoldiers in an Infantry Battalion deployed to Afghanistan from January 2010 to January 2011. Social network and mental health data were collected at threetime periods. Mental health measures are correlated with centrality scores. Ergm analysis is used to investigate the affects of social structure on mentalhealth. Findings show that isolated individuals who seek social acceptance are at greater risk for depression, suicide, and PTSD. This is especially true insituations where options for social contacts is restricted. Potential treatment strategies are proposed.