Prescription Stimulant Misuse and ADHD Symptomatology Among College Students in Iceland
Objective: Misuse of prescription stimulant medication is a prevalent problem on American college campuses; however, few studies have been conducted beyond the United States. Although Iceland has the highest methylphenidate prescription rates in the world, prevalence of stimulant misuse within the I...
Published in: | Journal of Attention Disorders |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
Language: | English |
Published: |
SAGE Publications
2016
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Subjects: | |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1087054716684379 http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1087054716684379 http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full-xml/10.1177/1087054716684379 |
Summary: | Objective: Misuse of prescription stimulant medication is a prevalent problem on American college campuses; however, few studies have been conducted beyond the United States. Although Iceland has the highest methylphenidate prescription rates in the world, prevalence of stimulant misuse within the Icelandic college student population remains to be investigated. Method: We examined the prevalence of prescription stimulant misuse among N = 521 college students in Iceland, using an online survey. Results: Overall prevalence of lifetime stimulant misuse was approximately 13%; 11% among participants without a prescription for stimulant medication, and 42% among participants holding a prescription. The primary reported reason for misuse was academic enhancement; risk factors included male sex, anxiety symptoms, and ADHD symptomatology. Conclusion: The present findings have implications for public health policy in Iceland, particularly as it relates to the college population. Prevention and intervention programs that provide college students with safer strategies to manage academic demands are warranted. |
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