Memorable Messages about the Misuse of Prescription Stimulants

ABSTRACT

The misuse of prescription stimulants among college undergraduates is a prevalent and dangerous problem on college campuses across the United States. Guided by a memorable messages framework, this research sought to examine the messages that college students recall about the misuse of prescription stimulants and examine how those messages are associated with students’ intention to use stimulants. We analyzed the recalled memorable messages of 129 undergraduates. Three predominant themes emerged from the analysis: academic implications, health implications, and ethical implications. Theme, source, and valence of the memorable messages were not associated with behavioral intention to engage in the misuse of prescription stimulants. These findings contribute to the scholarly and practical understanding of undergraduates’ experiences with illicit behaviors, and demonstrate a need to further investigate students’ sense-making in relation to risky decisions made during their college experience.