How Do Technology Use Characteristics Impact Substance Use Among MSM Who Use a Geo-Social Networking Application?

Introduction: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are considerably more likely to use alcohol and other substances (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine) compared with the general population. Heavy use of alcohol and other substances is associated with increased health risks. Recent literature suggests that use of geo-social networking applications (GSNA), a technology which MSM use to connect with other MSM, may be associated with behavior health risks. However, research investigating the relationship between GSNA use characteristics and substance use is unknown. Therefore, the aims of this study were to investigate: 1) to what extent do MSM who use GSNA also use alcohol and other drugs, and 2) what, if any, characteristics of GSNA use predict substance use?

Methods: In 2011, 302 MSM (age 18-42) were randomly sampled from Los Angeles, California, using a GSNA. Respondents completed a 30-minute online survey, requesting demographic information, GSNA use characteristics (i.e., frequency of use rationale for use), egocentric social network, and substance use within the last 30 days (i.e., binge drinking alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and methamphetamines). Four multiple regressions were conducted to test for the impact of GSNA use characteristics on each substance use outcome controlling social network normative drug beliefs and behaviors.

Results: On average, participants were age 30 (sd=6.6). Most participants identified their race as either White (51%) or Latino (22%). Participants identified their sexual orientation as either gay (90%) or bisexual (7%). On average, participants reported signing into GSNA more than once a day and that 25% of their social network also used GSNA. Fifty-nine percent of respondents reported using GSNA in order to connect with the gay community, and 10% to find others with whom to use substances. All substance use models were significant and explained large amounts of the variance in substance use. Findings indicate that GSNA use in one’s immediate social network is associated positively with binge drinking and negatively with methamphetamine use, using GSNA to connect with the gay community is positively associated with cocaine use, and using GSNA to find others with whom to use substances is positively associated with methamphetamine use.

Conclusions: The relationship between GSNA use characteristics and substance use in MSM is complicated and varies by substance. However, results indicate that GSNA use characteristics and social network substance beliefs and behaviors explain a substantial amount of the variance in substance use, highlighting a need for further investigation. Moreover, results demonstrate that technology-based substance use reduction interventions for MSM need to be substance-specific.