Adolescents' Nonmedical Use of Prescription Medications and Other Problem Behaviors

Abstract

Purpose-This study examines adolescent nonmedical use of prescription medications (NUPM) and its relationship to other problem behaviors.Methods-A secondary analysis was conducted with data gathered from 912 adolescents in 2007. Four mutually exclusive groups were created from the data. Adolescents who: 1) did not use controlled prescription medications (non-users); 2) used their own controlled medications as prescribed (medical-users); 3) engaged in nonmedical use for self-treatment motivations (selftreaters), and 4) engaged in nonmedical use for sensation-seeking motivations (sensation-seekers). These four groups were compared on problem behaviors as well as depression and impulsivity.Results-Approximately 10.9% of the sample engaged in NUPM and 36.8% had a legal prescription for a controlled medication. Sensation-seekers were more likely to engage in most problem behaviors when compared to all other groups, impulsivity and depression was variable among groups.Conclusions-The findings suggest there are different subtypes of nonmedical users of prescription medications.

Automedicación de analgésicos y antibióticos en estudiantes de pregrado de medicina

“…Estos datos coinciden con lo reportado por otros autores. Se encontró que la automedicación era un problema presente en la población estudiada 13,14 .…”

Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs and Sexual Risk Behaviors

“…Our findings are consistent with other, smaller studies that have found associations between NMUPD and SRBs. [17][18][19][20][21][22] When we investigated interactions between demographic characteristics and the association between NMUPD and SRBs, we observed significant subgroup differences among sex and racial/ ethnic subgroups, but not grade, for several SRBs. The interaction results for race/ethnicity for NMUPD and SRBs is likely due to two factors: black students have a low prevalence of NMUPD compared with white and Hispanic students and also have a higher prevalence of SRBs such as having had sex, having ≥4 lifetime sexual partners, and being currently sexually active.…”

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The few studies that exist focused on special populations such as homeless youth or were conducted in small geographic or clinical settings. [17][18][19] One such study surveyed sexually active adolescents and young adults aged 14 to 20 years in an emergency department setting and observed an association between each class of prescription drugs (stimulants, opioids, and sedatives) and SRBs. 17 Adolescents who used >1 class of prescription drugs were significantly more likely to report inconsistent condom use, multiple sexual partners, and substance use before sexual intercourse.…”

“…19 Additionally, a study in Michigan among students in grades 7 through 12 found an association between sexual activity and use of prescription drugs for sensation seeking. 18 The limited studies on NMUPD and SRBs among adult populations have found an association between NMUPD and SRBs. [20][21][22] This study used nationally representative data to address the research gap in the possible association between NMUPD and SRBs among high school students in the United States.…”

Actitudes, conocimientos y prácticas frente a la automedicación con productos herbales y psicofármacos en estudiantes de medicina de Medellín-Colombia

“…De modo similar a lo reportado por otros investigadores, las mujeres en nuestro estudio se automedican en mayor proporción que los hombres 18,19 . Sin embargo, un estudio de Evans y Sullivan no reportaron diferencias en cuanto al sexo en la automedicación de psicofármacos 20 .…”