The Role of Anonymity in Determining the Self-Reported Use of Cocaine and Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use Among College Students

Zander, Mary; Norton-Baker, Mara; Young, Kyle P. De; Looby, Alison

doi:10.3109/10826084.2016.1155607

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…The study was cross-sectional and hence the direction of causality of any effects cannot be established – this would require longitudinal designs. There are limitations inherent in the study design – diagnostic assessment may be less accurate (more “noisy”) via such an online survey compared to in-person assessment by a clinician; there may be responder biases; and there may be under-reporting (though this possibility is mitigated by virtue of the survey being anonymous) (for an analysis of the complex relationship between anonymity and reporting stimulant use, please see Zander et al, 2016). Additionally, self-report questions pertaining to substance use have their own limitations: for example, individuals may not disclose the full extent of their use or may not report it accurately due to bias.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Grant

Redden

Lust

et al. 2018

Journal of Addiction Medicine

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Background:This study sought to examine the occurrence of the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (amphetamines and methylphenidate) in a university sample and their associated physical and mental health correlates, including potential relationships with risky sexual practices.Methods:A 156-item anonymous online survey was distributed via e-mail to a sample of 9449 university students. Current use of alcohol and drugs, psychological and physical status, and academic performance were assessed, along with questionnaire-based measures of impulsivity and compulsivity.Results:A total of 3421 participants (59.7% female) were included in the analysis. 6.7% of the sample reported current/recent nonmedical use of prescription stimulants, while an additional 5.8% reported misuse in the past. Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants was associated with lower grade point averages, and with taking a broad range of other drugs (including alcohol, nicotine, illicit substances, and consumption of caffeinated soft drinks). Nonmedical use of stimulants was also significantly associated with impulsivity (Barratt scale), prior treatment for substance use problems, and elevated occurrence of disordered gambling, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety; but not depression symptoms or binge-eating disorder (though it was associated with using drugs to lose weight). The relationship with probable attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) on screening was not significant but was numerically elevated. Finally, those using nonmedical prescribed stimulants were significantly more sexually active (including at a younger age), and were less likely to use barrier contraception.Conclusions:Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants is common in young adults and has profound public health associations including with a profundity of other drug use (licit and illicit), certain mental health diagnoses (especially gambling, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder ), worse scholastic performance, and riskier sexual practices. The majority of people with nonmedical use of prescription stimulants do not have ADHD, and its link with current ADHD symptoms was less marked than for certain other disorders. Clinicians should screen for the misuse of prescription stimulants as they may be associated with a range of problematic behaviors. Risk of diversion (which may be higher for those living in shared accommodation and those with substance use disorder history) merits careful assessment before prescribing stimulant medication.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Grant

Redden

Lust

et al. 2018

Journal of Addiction Medicine

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“…It is possible that students do not hold strong negative perceptions related to cannabinoids, which are in contrast with use other more stigmatized drugs. This is also illustrated by the finding [15] that male participants are more likely to report nonmedical prescription stimulant compared to other illicit stimulant drug use.…”

Section: Sample Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Prediction of Risk for Boys' Involvement in Drug Use Based on Levels of Self-evaluations in Russia

Islamova¹,

Islamov

2017

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine

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Background:Adolescents often experiment with drug use, which can impact on their health and well-being and increase the probability of problem drug use. Yet, not enough is known about which psychological indicators is related with the initiation of drug use among young adults and have predictive power.Materials and Methods:Participants in this study were 311 boys (school and college students) aged 15–17. Data were collected in the towns of Moscow region. A modified version of Dembo-Rubinstein test was used to assess the self-evaluation (SE). A questionnaire and detection of drugs in urine were used to identify drug users. Binary logistic regression analysis based on SE with the inclusion of interactive effects between predictors was used for prediction of drug use.Results:Drug users, compared to nondrug users, are characterized by lower actual SE of health, happiness, success in learning, mind and desired SE of appearance, and higher desired SE of relationships with friends. The developed nonlinear regression model for prediction of boys’ involvement in drug use among young boys in the towns of Moscow region has a sensitivity of 82.7% at a specificity of 79.0%.Conclusions:Dembo-Rubinstein test of SE is a sensitive measure to identify boys at risk of involvement in drug use. Application of the regression model based on SE may contribute to the useful solution in preventing any onset of early drug use.

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“…Extensive research has observed the detrimental role of NMUPS in damaging college students' academic performance [4] and more alarmingly, students' short-term and long-term health [5][6][7]. Despite control and regulation, college students' NMUPS activities have been on the rise [8][9][10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Study Natural” without Drugs: An Exploratory Study of Theory-Guided and Tailored Health Campaign Interventions to Prevent Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants in College Students

Mackert

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Nonmedical use of prescription stimulants (NMUPS) among college students continues to rise. While some anti-NMUPS campaigns are available, little is known about the campaign development process and how well college students evaluate these messages. To bridge this gap, we developed theory-guided anti-NMUPS campaign interventions that are tailored to college students’ characteristics and evaluated students’ response towards them. A total of 445 college students (74.4% female; Meanage of 20; 18 to 35 years old) reviewed the campaign interventions and offered their evaluation via an online survey. Findings indicate that students responded to the campaigns positively. Results also indicate that female students are more likely to perceive the campaigns as effective than their male counterparts. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that theory-guided and tailored anti-NMUPS campaigns have great potential in changing students’ attitudes and behavior towards NMUPS. While this study fills critical gaps in the literature, considering the progress needed to strengthen the research field, more research is needed to further identify effective strategies that could prevent college students’ participation in NMUPS activities.

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The Role of Anonymity in Determining the Self-Reported Use of Cocaine and Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use Among College Students

Abstract: These results suggest that NPSU may not have the same perceived negative social consequences as other more stigmatized stimulant drugs, with young men in particular giving little weight to the potential consequences of NPSU.

Cited by 5 publications

References 23 publications

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Nonmedical Use of Stimulants Is Associated With Riskier Sexual Practices and Other Forms of Impulsivity

Prediction of Risk for Boys' Involvement in Drug Use Based on Levels of Self-evaluations in Russia

“Study Natural” without Drugs: An Exploratory Study of Theory-Guided and Tailored Health Campaign Interventions to Prevent Nonmedical Use of Prescription Stimulants in College Students

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