How One Researcher Harnesses AI to Tackle Substance Use Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness

Think back to how you made decisions growing up. Whether it was the clothes you wore, where you hung out, who your friends were, and even how you coped with the struggles you faced—who did you confide in? 

Was it a friend, a sibling, a parent, a mentor or other trusted adult? It’s likely that peer influence—or how much your personal circle can affect what you do and think— had a big impact. 

Peer influence has the power to shape nearly every decision a young person makes, and social media often plays an outsized role in how those everyday conversations occur. 

Approximately 95% of youth ages 13 to 17 report using a social media platform—according to recent data reported by the Office of the Surgeon General. 

Social media can also help researchers understand the context of certain health-related behaviors by offering real-time insights into trends, interactions and peer influences within online communities. 

For example, it can shed light on the challenges faced by vulnerable groups, such as youth experiencing homelessness, who may turn to digital platforms for support, connection, or expression of their struggles.

In this episode, Jordyn speaks with Associate Professor of Social Work Anamika Barman-Adhikari about how the social networks of young people experiencing homelessness can influence behaviors like substance use.

Anamika Barman-Adhikari is an associate professor of social work at the University of Denver. Her experiences in research, policy and clinical services have collectively helped her to formulate an academic agenda, which is devoted to the prevention of HIV and substance use among high-risk youth and other vulnerable populations. Barman-Adhikari's research interests are broadly centered on understanding the social-contextual determinants of risk and protective behaviors among vulnerable populations, such as unhoused and minority youth.