Social disintegration and the spread of AIDS—II: Meltdown of sociogeographic structure in urban minority neighborhoods

doi:10.1016/0277-9536(93)90143-R

Social Science & Medicine

Volume 37, Issue 7, October 1993, Pages 887-896

https://doi.org/10.1016/0277-9536(93)90143-R Get rights and content

Abstract

An elementary model of sociogeographic network structure in an urban minority community suggests externally applied stress, particularly that which triggers frequent individual or family moves of increasing distance, may cause a sudden ‘phase change’ resulting in disconnection of previously integrated subgroups from the community. Such ‘community meltdown’ would seriously disrupt mechanisms for social control, economic opportunity and socialization of youth, while intensifying substance abuse and indiscriminate and frequent sexual activity, particularly among the very young. “Phase change’ of this nature would seem to preclude success of programs to control spread of HIV infection, particularly in heterosexual populations.

The possibility is explored that programs of ‘community recrystalization’ in disintegrated urban area might likewise need to exceed some threshold of investment and organizing activity before becoming effective. However, if supported to levels above threshold, this work implies such programs might have very great impact in a very short time.

The possibility of interaction between behavioral pathologies resulting from the initial meltdown and further consequent deterioration in sociogeographic network structure leads to speculation that the threshold for recrystalization may become significantly and progressively greater than for meltdown.

Implications of these matters for diffusion of HIV into the general population are discussed.

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Social disintegration and the spread of AIDS—II: Meltdown of sociogeographic structure in urban minority neighborhoods

Abstract

Env. Res.

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

Soc. Sci. Med.

J. Adolesc. Hlth Care

J. Infect. Dis.

Soc. Networks

AIDS deaths in the Bronx 1983–1988: Spatiotemporal analysis from a sociogeographic perspective

Env. Plan. (A)

‘Homelessness,’ contagious destruction of housing and municipal service cuts in New York City: Part I—demographics of a housing deficit

Env. Plan. (A)

City's housing administrator proposes ‘planned shrinkage’ of some slums

New York Times

Report of the Assembly Republican task force on urban fire protection

Studies on the Collapse of Fire Service in New York City, 1972–1976: The Impact of Pseudoscience in Public Policy

Rand-HUD fire models

Mgt Sci.

Contagion and incubation in New York City structural fires, 1964–1976

Hum. Ecol.

Origins of public health collapse in New York City: The dynamics of planned shrinkage, contagious urban decay and social disintegration

Bull. N. Y. Acad. Med.

Chemical foreplay among black and white students

J. Drug Educ.

Victims of violent death: A critical review

Psychol. Bull.

Psychosocial processes and ‘stress:’ theoretical formulation

Int. J. Hlth Ser.

Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis

Psychol. Bull.

Alcohol use and criminal behavior: An empirical, theoretical and methodological overview

Crime rate and social integration

Criminology

Structure of problem behavior in adolescence and young adulthood

J. Consult. clin. Psychol.

DHEW Publication No. (CDC) 77-8318

Social relationships and health

Science

Inner City Alcoholism: An Ecological Analysis and Cross-Cultural Study

The effects of the residential environment on health and behavior

Disaster: Effects on mental and physical state

J. Psychomat. Res.

My Name is Legion: Foundations for a Theory of Man in Relation to Culture

The Character of the Danger: Psychiatric Symptoms in Selected Communities

The Genocidal Mentality: Nazi Holocaust and Nuclear Threat

Social support and depression: A panel study

Soc. Psychol.

Depression-mobility and its social etiology: The role of life events and social support

J. Hlth soc. Behav.