Collegiate Misuse of Prescription Stimulants: Examining Differences in Self-Worth

Abstract

Background: Prescription stimulant medication is commonly used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, stimulant medication misuse is a prevalent problem among the college population. There is limited research on psychological factors associated with collegiate nonmedical stimulant misuse. Objectives: To examine the association between college students’ self-worth and stimulant medication misuse. Methods: A quantitative study implemented during the 2013–2014 academic year in which we utilized a convenience sample of undergraduate students at a public university. College students (N = 3,038) completed an electronic survey packet including a stimulant use index and the Contingencies of Self-Worth Scale. We conducted descriptive discriminant analysis (DDA) to measure the associations between four groups: Nonusers, Appropriate Users, Nonprescribed Misusuers, and Prescribed Users. Results: Significant differences in contingencies of self-worth existed between the four groups of students. Specifically, external contingencies of self-worth, such as appearance and approval, were associated with stimulant medication misuse, whereas, internal contingencies of self-worth, such as God's love and virtue, were associated with nonuse and appropriate prescribed use. Conclusions/Importance: The findings of the current study suggested contingencies of self-worth partially explain prescription stimulant misuse among the collegiate population. Addressing self-worth may be helpful in the treatment of stimulant misuse with college students.

Keywords :

• College students
• stimulant misuse
• self-worth

THE AUTHORS

Amanda L. Giordano, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Counseling Program at the University of North Texas. She specializes in addictions counseling, with particular emphasis on collegiate substance abuse, religious/spiritual issues in addictions counseling, and process addictions.

THE AUTHORS

Elizabeth A. Prosek, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at the University of North Texas. Her research interests include diagnosis and assessment; counseling underserved populations with special consideration for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders; and issues in counselor education.

Emily Reader is a master's student of counseling and member of the Addictions Counseling Research Team at the University of North Texas. She has both clinical and research interests in the field of community mental health and specializes in play therapy with children.

THE AUTHORS

Cynthia M. Bevly is a doctoral student in the counseling program at the University of North Texas. She is currently a member of the program's Addictions Counseling Research Team. Her research interests include addictions, social justice issues, and spirituality.

Kori Turner is a master's student in the counseling program at The University of North Texas. She is a member of the program's Addictions Counseling Research Team. She has an interest in substance use and the adolescent population.

Yvette LeBlanc is a Master's of Science student in the University of North Texas Counseling Program. She is a member of the UNT Counseling Program's Addictions Counseling Research Team. She is interested in working with clients using expressive arts, mindfulness, and yoga in counseling.

Ryan Vera is a graduate student in the Counseling program at the University of North Texas. His areas of interest include substance abuse, spirituality, and group work. 

Citlali E. Molina is a master's student at The University of North Texas and a member of the Addictions Counseling Research Team. She is a school counselor at South Grand Prairie High and her interests include addictions and working with adolescents.

Sage Ann Garber is a master's student in the counseling program at the University of North Texas.  She is a member of the programs Addictions Counseling Research Team and has additional interests in trauma, art and play therapy.

GLOSSARY

• Contingencies of self-worth: Categories in which individuals base their self-esteem (Crocker & Park, 2012).

• External contingencies of self-worth: Domains of self-worth contingent upon others such as approval, appearance, and competition (Crocker, 2002).

• Internal contingencies of self-worth: Domains of self-worth contingent upon oneself such as virtue and God's love (Crocker, 2002).

• Prescription stimulant misuse: Taking a medication prescribed for attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (i.e., Ritalin, Adderall, Concerta), without a prescription or with a prescription but more than prescribed.