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RAND Research Using Cultural Analysis and Social Networks

Research on cultural and social networks includes cultural domain analysis, cultural consensus analysis, and egocentric network or personal network analysis.

The following research was conducted by a range of RAND divisions, programs, and centers using these methods.

A Manual for Cultural Analysis

Jul 9, 2018

Many academic disciplines have formally theorized culture as socially learned information that can influence beliefs and behaviors. This tool combines methods from anthropology and related areas to create a manual to examine cultural data.

Luke J. Matthews, Ryan Andrew Brown, David P. Kennedy
A Pilot Test of a Motivational Interviewing Social Network Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Among Housing First Residents

Feb 9, 2018

Helping formerly homeless people identify members of their social network who trigger alcohol and other drug (AOD) use may motivate them to reduce high-risk AOD use in the transition to permanent housing.

David P. Kennedy, Karen Chan Osilla, Sarah B. Hunter, Daniela Golinelli, Ervant J. Maksabedian Hernandez, Joan S. Tucker
Political Leadership in Afghanistan: Identifying and Assessing Determining Factors

May 20, 2016

This study explores the factors that lead to a political leader in Afghanistan being defined as "good," "strong," or "popular" -- as well as what needs to be done to improve political leadership for future generations.

Ahmad Rahmani
A Computer-Assisted Motivational Social Network Intervention to Reduce Alcohol, Drug and HIV Risk Behaviors Among Housing First Residents

Mar 29, 2016

This pilot study will assess whether coupling social network visualizations with motivational interviewing can help Housing First participants transition away from homelessness and high-risk behaviors, such as substance use and risky sexual activity.

David P. Kennedy, Sarah B. Hunter, Karen Chan Osilla, Ervant J. Maksabedian Hernandez, Daniela Golinelli, Joan S. Tucker
Feasibility of a Computer-Assisted Social Network Motivational Interviewing Intervention for Substance Use and HIV Risk Behaviors for Housing First Residents

Sep 19, 2016

A motivational interviewing approach that targets social networks to reduce risky behavior was found to be helpful in a focus group of residents and staff of Housing First, a permanent supportive housing organization for formerly homeless people.

Karen Chan Osilla, David P. Kennedy, Sarah B. Hunter, Ervant J. Maksabedian Hernandez
The Analysis of Duocentric Social Networks: A Primer

Feb 13, 2015

The authors offer new tools for expanding on the existing literature by describing methods of collecting and analyzing duocentric social networks, that is, the combined social networks of couples.

David P. Kennedy, Grace L. Jackson, Harold D. Green, Thomas N. Bradbury, Benjamin R. Karney
Monogamy on the Street: A Mixed Methods Study of Homeless Men

Jan 1, 2013

In this study, we used a mixed methods approach to explore the determinants of relationship patterns and risky sex among homeless men living in downtown Los Angeles.

Ryan Andrew Brown, David P. Kennedy, Joan S. Tucker, Daniela Golinelli, Suzanne L. Wenzel
Unprotected Sex Among Heterosexually Active Homeless Men: Results from a Multi-Level Dyadic Analysis

Dec 1, 2012

This research uses multi-level modeling to investigate the context of unprotected sex among heterosexually active homeless men in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles.

David P. Kennedy, Suzanne L. Wenzel, Ryan Andrew Brown, Joan S. Tucker, Daniela Golinelli
Understanding and Engaging the Muslims of the Southern Philippines

Aug 10, 2012

Explores and compares how members of the US military, Philippine military and police, and populace of Mindanao understand Islamic beliefs and values.

Diana Dunham-Scott
Masculinity and HIV Risk Among Homeless Men in Los Angeles

Jan 1, 2012

HIV continues to be a serious public health problem for men who have sex with women (MSW), especially homeless MSW.

David P. Kennedy, Ryan Andrew Brown, Daniela Golinelli, Suzanne L. Wenzel, Joan S. Tucker, Samuel Wertheimer
Who Is Supporting Homeless Youth? Predictors of Support in Personal Networks

Jan 1, 2012

Homeless youth lack the traditional support networks of their housed peers, which increases their risk for poor health outcomes.

Kayla de la Haye, Harold D. Green, David P. Kennedy, Annie Jie Zhou, Daniela Golinelli, Suzanne L. Wenzel, Joan S. Tucker
Cultural Models and Fertility Timing Among Cherokee and White Youth in Appalachia: Beyond the Mode

Jan 1, 2009

American Indian groups exhibit some of the highest and earliest fertility. This comparison between Cherokee and white youth in Appalachia found that the main difference in attitudes toward childbearing was the degree of latitude for the timing of having children vis-à-vis other major life events.

Ryan Andrew Brown, Daniel J Hruschka, Carol M Worthman