An Examination of Prescription Stimulant Misuse and Psychological Variables Among Sorority and Fraternity College Populations

Dussault, Crystal; Weyandt, Lisa L.

doi:10.1177/1087054711428740

Cited by 78 publications

(84 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…In addition, the present review suggests that adolescents and adults are more likely to misuse short-acting or immediate-release agents compared with long-acting agents 84,97. Consistent with previous studies, the present review suggests that students who are white, affiliated with a fraternity or sorority, engaging in other illicit drugs, and male, are more likely to misuse prescription stimulants 47,49,56,57,84,89,92,94,96,101,102,113,118,124. Although some of the studies reported no sex differences, recently Weyandt et al45 reported on the effect sizes of sex differences in studies examining stimulant misuse.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…However, college students appear to be particularly vulnerable to stimulant misuse, and members of fraternities and sororities have reported higher rates of misuse than students unaffiliated with Greek organizations 47,101,114. One of the reviewed studies found that college students who are upper classmen or live off-campus may be more likely to engage in nonmedical stimulant use 90.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Pharmacological interventions for adolescents and adults with ADHD: stimulant and nonstimulant medications and misuse of prescription stimulants

Weyandt

Oster

Marraccini

et al. 2014

PRBM

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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity that cause functional impairment. Recent research indicates that symptoms persist into adulthood in the majority of cases, with prevalence estimates of approximately 5% in the school age population and 2.5%–4% in the adult population. Although students with ADHD are at greater risk for academic underachievement and psychosocial problems, increasing numbers of students with ADHD are graduating from high school and pursuing higher education. Stimulant medications are considered the first line of pharmacotherapy for individuals with ADHD, including college students. Although preliminary evidence indicates that prescription stimulants are safe and effective for college students with ADHD when used as prescribed, very few controlled studies have been conducted concerning the efficacy of prescription stimulants with college students. In addition, misuse of prescription stimulants has become a serious problem on college campuses across the US and has been recently documented in other countries as well. The purpose of the present systematic review was to investigate the efficacy of prescription stimulants for adolescents and young adults with ADHD and the nonmedical use and misuse of prescription stimulants. Results revealed that both prostimulant and stimulant medications, including lisdexamfetamine dimesylate, methylphenidate, amphetamines, and mixed-amphetamine salts, are effective at reducing ADHD symptoms in adolescents and adults with ADHD. Findings also suggest that individuals with ADHD may have higher rates of stimulant misuse than individuals without the disorder, and characteristics such as sex, race, use of illicit drugs, and academic performance are associated with misuse of stimulant medications. Results also indicate that individuals both with and without ADHD are more likely to misuse short-acting agents than long-acting agents. These findings have implications for intervention, prevention, and future research.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pharmacological interventions for adolescents and adults with ADHD: stimulant and nonstimulant medications and misuse of prescription stimulants

Weyandt

Oster

Marraccini

et al. 2014

PRBM

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show abstract

“…Regardless, it is perhaps possible that the present relationship reflects the maladaptive nature of both dysfunctional coping and CE drug use. Although the use of CE drugs (particularly prescription drugs) may be perceived by students as an effective short-term means to cope with academic stress, data suggest that this behavior is unlikely to be a healthy short-or long-term strategy (Dussault and Weyandt 2013). Similarly, although dysfunctional coping strategies (e.g., denial, behavioral disengagement, and avoidance) may provide students with short-term relief from overwhelming demands, these behaviors do not address the cause of the stressor and are likely to be similarly maladaptive (Cooper et al 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cognitive Enhancement and Coping in an Australian University Student Sample

2017

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Cognitive enhancement (CE) agents are those purported to improve or augment aspects of cognition such as working memory, creativity, and executive function in healthy individuals. CE by university students looking to improve their academic performance, particularly through the use of pharmacological agents (or nootropics), has become an area of increasing interest for researchers. However, studies on the prevalence of, and motivations behind, students' CE use at Australian universities are limited. This study aimed to contribute a new sample of prevalence data, as well as corroborate previous qualitative research that has suggested that emotion-focused and avoidant coping styles may make students more susceptible to utilizing CE drugs. A sample of N=633 individuals was recruited to complete the BCognitive Enhancement and Student Lifestyle Survey^online. The key questions of interest concerned students' enhancement drug usage habits, usage motivations, and coping styles. Analyses found that 6.32% of students indicated lifetime use of prescription CE agents for the purposes of study-related enhancement. Furthermore, dysfunctional coping strategies were associated with an increased likelihood of both lifestyle and prescription CE drug use. Findings from this study refine current understandings of enhancement drug use in Australia and are contextualized in regard to potential avenues for on-campus health interventions and regulatory opportunities. In particular, helping students to maintain manageable stress levels through identifying less harmful coping strategies may prove useful.

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“…The non-medical use or misuse of stimulants, usually defined as taking stimulants without a valid prescription or greater use of stimulants than as prescribed (Benson et al, 2015;Weyandt et al, 2013b), has soared among university students since the beginning of the century (Babcock & Byrne, 2000;DeSantis, Noar, & Webb, 2010;DuPont, Coleman, Bucher, & Wilford, 2008;Dussault & Weyandt, 2013;Hall, Irwin, Bowman, Frankenberger, & Jewett, 2005;Janusis & Weyandt, 2010;Judson & Langdon, 2009;Low & Gendaszek, 2002;Messina et al, 2014;McCabe et al, 2005;McCabe, West, Teter, & Boyd, 2014;Rabiner et al, 2009;Sharp & Rosen, 2007;Verdi, Weyandt, & Zavras, 2014;Weyandt et al, 2009;White, Becker-Blease & Grace-Bishop, 2006 A systematic review of the literature conducted by Weyandt and colleagues (2013) revealed that several reasons for misusing prescription stimulants have been reported, chief among them being cognitive and academic enhancement. More specifically, college students who disclose engaging in stimulant misuse report doing so while studying (e.g., preparing for exams, writing papers) to increase their attention and alertness, and thus improve their academic performance.…”

Section: Use and Misuse Of Prescription Stimulantsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prescription Stimulant Misuse and ADHD Symptomatology Among College Students in Iceland

Guðmundsdóttir

Weyandt

Ernudottir³

2016

J Atten Disord

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As growing numbers of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) pursue postsecondary education, the availability of psychostimulant medications on college campuses has steadily increased. Although a large body of research has documented that misuse of prescription stimulant medication is a prevalent problem on American college campuses, few studies have been conducted beyond the United States. Iceland, closely followed by the United States, has the highest stimulant medication prescription rates in the world; however, no systematic efforts have been made to investigate to what extent these medications are being misused within the Icelandic college student population. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to: a) examine the prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse among N=521 college students in Iceland as well as factors that are potentially predictive of stimulant misuse, including ADHD symptomatology, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, self-reported grade-point average (GPA), and student sex; and b) identify the prevalence of significant ADHD symptomatology within this population.Results revealed the prevalence of lifetime stimulant misuse behavior was approximately 13% within the overall sample, 11% among participants without a prescription for stimulant medication, and 42% among participants holding a prescription. The primary reported reason for misuse was academic enhancement, similar to findings from the United States and Europe. Findings also suggested risk factors for prescription stimulant misuse among college students in Iceland included male sex, anxiety symptoms, and a history of ADHD symptoms. Approximately 8% of participants reported persistent, elevated ADHD symptomatology, while approximately 9% reported a previous diagnosis of ADHD.The present findings have implications for public health policy in Iceland, particularly as it relates to the college population. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are discussed.iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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An Examination of Prescription Stimulant Misuse and Psychological Variables Among Sorority and Fraternity College Populations

Cited by 78 publications

References 39 publications

Pharmacological interventions for adolescents and adults with ADHD: stimulant and nonstimulant medications and misuse of prescription stimulants

Pharmacological interventions for adolescents and adults with ADHD: stimulant and nonstimulant medications and misuse of prescription stimulants

Cognitive Enhancement and Coping in an Australian University Student Sample

Prescription Stimulant Misuse and ADHD Symptomatology Among College Students in Iceland

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