Sycarah Fisher1, Tamika Zapolski2, Shareefah Al-Uqdah3, Danelle Stevens-Watkins1, Chelsea Arsenault1, Jessica Barnes-Najor4. 1. a Department of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology , The University of Kentucky , Lexington , Kentucky , USA. 2. b Clinical Psychology , Indiana University Purdue University - Indianapolis , Indianapolis , Indiana , USA. 3. c Department of Human Development and Psychoeducational Studies, Howard University , Washington, DC , USA. 4. d University Outreach and Engagement, Michigan State University , East Lansing , Michigan , USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: 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.
BACKGROUND: 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.
Entities:
Keywords:
African-American; Substance use; ethnic/racial; school context