Substance Use and Help-Seeking Among Low-Income African American Women: Testing the Network Episode Model

• In Event: 449 - Section on Sociology of Mental Health Paper Session. Coping, Recovery and Mental Health Services

Abstract

Untreated substance use disorders are a major public health concern that has costly consequences; therefore identifying the factors associated with help-seeking for substance abuse is an important research objective. A promising line of research investigates how the social characteristics of those with substance use disorders influence drug use and substance abuse help-seeking patterns. Using the Network Episode Model (NEM) as a theoretical framework, this research investigates the role of social influence, social control, and social support factors in patterning both illicit drug use and substance abuse help-seeking among an understudied and underserved population, low-income African American women. Data come from the B-WISE Project, a longitudinal research study which gathers data on social characteristics and health behaviors of 643 African American women over an 18-month period. Results broadly indicate support for the Network Episode Model, and demonstrate that social influence, control, and integration measures all have significant impacts on the behavior of the low-income African American women studied. Specifically, women with a family history of substance use problems and those who live with someone who has an alcohol or drug problem are more likely to use illicit drugs. Further, while spouses do not support help-seeking, results suggest that participating in a religious community and having a supportive network of friends can serve to discourage illicit drug use. Findings also reveal that strong social support from friends may be a double-edged sword – such that more supportive networks discourage help-seeking. Implications for the recovery of low-income African American women are also discussed.

Authors

• Erin Leigh Pullen, University of Kentucky

• Carrie B. Oser, University of Kentucky