1. Licit and Illicit Use of Prescription Psychostimulants in Upperclassmen and Alumni
- Author
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Underhill, Brynne and Langdon, Su
- Abstract
Use of prescription stimulants after college has not been well researched. In an online survey, current upperclassmen undergraduates (N = 96) and recent alumni (N = 337) reported licit and illicit use of prescription stimulants, perceptions of peer use, self-diagnosis of attention disorder, and plans for continued use. Post-graduate rate of use was significantly lower than undergraduate levels, though alumni reported significantly greater post-graduate use than they had expected in college and this alumni rate was also significantly greater than current students' predictions for post-graduate use. While college environment appears to be an ecological factor in prescription stimulant use, other factors, such as perceived peer use and self-diagnosis, also play a role. Educating undergraduates about long term and illicit stimulant use would be beneficial. (Contains 1 figure and 1 table.)
- Published
- 2013