A Mathematical Framework for the Complex System Approach to Group Dynamics: The Case of Recovery House Social Integration

The complex system conception of group social dynamics often involves not only changing individual characteristics, but also changing within-group relationships. Recent advances in stochastic dynamic network modeling allow these interdependencies to be modeled from data. This methodology is discusse...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Group dynamics 2016-03, Vol.20 (1), p.51-64
Main Authors: Light, John M., Jason, Leonard A., Stevens, Edward B., Callahan, Sarah, Stone, Ariel
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Behavioral sciences
Drug Abuse
Female
Group Dynamics
Human
Medical treatment
Pilot projects
Rehabilitation
Residential Care Institutions
Rights
Social dynamics
Social Integration
Social Networks
Social systems
Software
Stochastic Modeling
Stochastic models
Substance abuse treatment
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Summary:The complex system conception of group social dynamics often involves not only changing individual characteristics, but also changing within-group relationships. Recent advances in stochastic dynamic network modeling allow these interdependencies to be modeled from data. This methodology is discussed within a context of other mathematical and statistical approaches that have been or could be applied to study the temporal evolution of relationships and behaviors within small- to medium-sized groups. An example model is presented, based on a pilot study of 5 Oxford House recovery homes, sober living environments for individuals following release from acute substance abuse treatment. This model demonstrates how dynamic network modeling can be applied to such systems, examines and discusses several options for pooling, and shows how results are interpreted in line with complex system concepts. Results suggest that this approach (a) is a credible modeling framework for studying group dynamics even with limited data, (b) improves upon the most common alternatives, and (c) is especially well-suited to complex system conceptions. Continuing improvements in stochastic models and associated software may finally lead to mainstream use of these techniques for the study of group dynamics, a shift already occurring in related fields of behavioral science.
ISSN:1089-2699
1930-7802
DOI:10.1037/gdn0000040