ERIC Number: EJ1080978
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Dec
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1981
EISSN: N/A
The Illicit Use of Prescription Stimulants on College Campuses
Bavarian, Niloofar; Flay, Brian R.; Ketcham, Patricia L.; Smit, Ellen
Health Education & Behavior, v42 n6 p719-729 Dec 2015
The illicit use of prescription stimulants (IUPS) is a substance use behavior that remains prevalent on college campuses. As theory can guide research and practice, we provide a systematic review of the college-based IUPS epidemiological literature guided by one ecological framework, the theory of triadic influence (TTI). We aim to assess prevalence, elucidate the behavior's multietiological nature, and discuss prevention implications. Peer-reviewed studies were located through key phrase searches (prescription stimulant misuse and college, "prescription stimulant misuse" and "college," illicit use of prescription stimulants in college, and nonmedical prescription stimulant use in college students) in electronic databases (PubMed, PubMed Central, and EBSCO Host) for the period 2000 to 2013. Studies meeting inclusion criteria had their references reviewed for additional eligible literature. Statistically significant correlates of IUPS in the 62 retrieved studies were organized using the three streams of influence and four levels of causation specified in the TTI. Results show that the prevalence of IUPS varies across campuses. Additionally, findings suggest the behavior is multifaceted, as correlates were observed within each stream of influence and level of causation specified by the TTI. We conclude that IUPS is prevalent in, but varies across, colleges and is influenced by intrapersonal and broader social and societal factors. We discuss implications for prevention and directions for future research.
Descriptors: Drug Abuse, College Students, Stimulants, Literature Reviews, Incidence, Etiology, Prevention, Influences, Social Influences, Individual Characteristics, Cultural Influences, Correlation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH)
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: T32AA014125