Fisher, SycarahZapolski, TamikaAl-Uqdah, ShareefahStevens-Watkins, DanelleArsenault, ChelseaBarnes-Najor, Jessica2019-08-022019-08-022019Fisher, S., Zapolski, T., Al-Uqdah, S., Stevens-Watkins, D., Arsenault, C., & Barnes-Najor, J. (2019). Person-Environment Fit, Substance Use Attitudes, and Early Adolescent Substance Use. Substance use & misuse, 54(4), 628–638. doi:10.1080/10826084.2018.1531426https://hdl.handle.net/1805/20173BACKGROUND: Adolescent substance use is a national health concern. While the literature is clear on the prevalence of substance use during the adolescent developmental period, a dearth of literature is available on the developmental contexts, particularly the influence of school factors, in which substance use occurs. OBJECTIVES: This study examined the intermediary role of substance use attitudes on the relationship between school racial composition and alcohol and marijuana use in a sample of sixth to eighth graders. METHODS: The sample consisted of 4228 middle school students (89% White; 53% female) in the Midwest. A moderated mediation analysis was conducted on the relationship between school racial composition, substance use attitudes, and substance use, with race as the moderator. RESULTS: Results indicated a significant relationship between the percentage of White or Black students in a school and alcohol or marijuana use and that this relationship was mediated by substance use attitudes. These relationships did not differ significantly by student race. Conclusions/Importance: Preliminary findings indicate the importance of considering school racial composition as a systems level risk or promotive factor for attitudes toward substance use as well as substance use outcomes.en-USPublisher PolicyAfrican-AmericanSubstance useEthnicRacialSchool contextArticle