Illicit use of prescription stimulants among college students: Prescription status, motives, theory of planned behaviour, knowledge and self-diagnostic tendencies

Abstract

Published studies have reported that illicit prescription stimulant use is increasingly common on college campuses in the United States. The present study investigates the relationship between prescription status, motives, theory of planned behaviour, knowledge of side effects and self-diagnostic tendencies and illicit use of prescription stimulants among undergraduates (N = 333). Prescription holders and non-holders responded to a self-administered online survey. Results revealed that dependent variables were significantly different between illicit users and non-illicit users. Specifically, prescription holders were more likely than non-holders to report illicit use. Illicit users, relative to non-illicit users, reported more motives to use, less concern with ethics and safety of use, greater perception of use as socially acceptable, less perceived control over their behaviour without stimulant aid, more knowledge, and, among non-prescription holders, were more likely to self-diagnosis having an attention disorder. This study provides additional insight into students’ attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and practices related to prescription stimulant use on campus. Implications for future research and the need for interventions to provide aid to students who are at risk for using stimulant medications illicitly are discussed.

Keywords:

• illicit use
• prescription stimulant medication
• self-diagnosis
• theory of planned behaviour
• motivations