The present study examined characteristics and factors related to nonprescription use of stimulant medications in college-aged populations. Prior researchers have shown that students do not perceive that taking these medications is illegal or that the medications have negative effects (DeSantis & Hane, 2010; Rabiner et al., 2009). Therefore, we examined the perceptions of legal and health risks that are associated with consumption of stimulant medication along with motivations for use and other perceptions of use. The psychology research pool was used to recruit 995 undergraduate students to the survey. Data analysis showed that the combination of sharing and selling is the most commonly endorsed method of diversion for prescription stimulant medications. Analyses also showed that those involved in using nonprescription stimulants perceived lower legal and health risks compared to those uninvolved. Future research should continue to explore diversion behaviors and risks and benefits between users and non-users.

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Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of California, Irvine, 2006. / Adviser: Frances M. Leslie. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 37 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 33-34).

Thesis - University of Pennsylvania. / Error in pagination: p. 16 is misnumbered 15. Film 633 reel 76 is part of Research Publications Early American Medical Imprints collection (RP reel 76, no. 1564). DNLM Includes bibliographical references.

Prescription stimulant abuse is a recent drug abuse trend that is becoming a major problem across the United States. Previous research has mainly examined the amount of individuals that are abusing prescription stimulants and has ignored using sociological theory to explain why individuals are abusing these drugs. To address this gap in the literature, this thesis applies the theory of social capital to explain how an adolescents’ family structure can affect the likelihood they will abuse prescription stimulants. Examining survey data from the 2008 The National Survey on Drug Use and Health, it was found that adolescents from single parent households, with minimal parental involvement, are more likely to report abusing prescription stimulants. These findings highlight the influence of family structure and parental involvement in an adolescent’s life, as well as the need for additional research in this area to fully understand prescription stimulant abuse.

Racial/ethnic differences underlying the illicit use of prescription stimulants (IUPS) were examined. A 2 X 2 (African American/Caucasian and male/female) design with n = 120 per group (mean age of 19.23, SD = 1.30) was used to evaluate survey responses regarding IUPS and their ADHD symptoms (using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale; ASRS). First, African Americans endorsed IUPS less frequently (p < .001) and reported lower levels of ADHD symptoms (p < .01). Second, participants rated three domains of risk for IUPS. African Americans perceived higher social risk (p < .001). No significant differences were found for legal or health risks. Third, African Americans perceived lower benefits for IUPS for concentration (p < .001), alertness (p < .001), and help with studying (p < .001). Minor gender differences are discussed and implications for targeting risk/benefit beliefs in IUPS prevention and treatment programs are discussed.

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