Network Characteristics of a Social Support Organization for Gay Men in Southern California
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Abstract
Gay men are at risk for a range of negative health and mental health issues, including HIV and depression. The extant literature demonstrates the integral role that social support can play in improving health and well-being among gay men, yet little empirical evidence exists to document the supportive social networks of gay men. The present study sought to understand the network structure of a social support organization for gay men in Southern California. Cross-sectional data collection was conducted online using name generator- and roster-based surveys. Participants were asked their age, organizational tenure, level of organizational involvement, and whether or not they had attended that year’s organizational retreat. Thirty-nine men participated in the study (response rate: 87%). The overall density of the social network was 26.57%; the social network had a high degree of centralization (51.86%) and an average path length of three, indicating a cohesive and well-integrated social network. Social network structure was correlated with age (r = 0.109, p = 0.006), organizational tenure (r = 0.188, p = 0.000), organizational involvement (r = 0.130, p = 0.002), and retreat attendance (r = 0.216, p = 0.000). Results demonstrate the connectedness of members of the social support organization examined in the present study and the utility of empirically examining social support network structures of gay men. Strengths-based intervention strategies that capitalize on social support network structures may be helpful in buffering negative health outcomes for gay men.