College Students’ Intent to Intervene when a Peer is Engaging in Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

ABSTRACT

Background: This study examined college students’ communication surrounding nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NPS). Objective: Using a hypothetical scenario, the researchers employed the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to investigate the relationship of students’ attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control with their intent to intervene on behalf of a friend who is engaging in NPS. Methods: College students (N = 163) at a small, Southwestern university in the United States completed anonymous web- based surveys, reporting on their attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention in the Spring of 2015. Self-reports of perceived knowledge of prescription stimulants were also collected as a control variable. Results: Results of structural equation modeling support the utility of TPB in this context; participants’ attitudes and subjective norms were significant predictors of behavioral intent. Perceived behavioral control was not a significant predictor. Conclusions and Importance: Based on these findings, several recommendations are offered for both researchers and practitioners who might consider a bystander intervention to address the growing NPS epidemic on college campuses.

KEYWORDS:

• Prescription stimulant abuse
• bystander intervention
• Theory of Planned Behavior
• college students

Conflicts of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.