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The Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs and Other Substance Use among College Students

Oluwoye, Oladunni A.

Abstract Details

2016, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services: Health Education.
For this dissertation, two studies were conducted. The first part of the abstract addresses study one and the second part reviews study two. Study one examined nonmedical use of prescription drugs and potential risk factors associated with misuse among college students. Study two examined the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and other types of substance use among college students. Study One Abstract Over 1.5 million young adults aged 18 to 25 years have engaged in the nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) in the United States. This study examined self-reported NMUPD (i.e., depressants, opioids, and stimulants) and demographic factors potentially associated with misuse. Four hundred and seventeen undergraduate students from a large Midwestern university completed a survey on the NMUPD. Results indicated that since entering college, 2.8% of undergraduate students reported the nonmedical use of depressants, 9.6% reported opioid misuse, followed by 28.5% for the nonmedical use of stimulants. The majority of the students (77%) reported residing off-campus. Of the entire sample, approximately 15.2% engaged in collegiate sports and 10.1% were involved in a Greek organization. Logistic regression analyses revealed undergraduate students who resided off-campus were three times more likely to engage in the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants. Findings for the nonmedical use of prescription depressants and opioids among college students were not significant. These findings have important implications in the development of prevention programming on college campuses aimed at decreasing the NMUPD among students. Study Two Abstract The purpose of this study was to further investigate the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants and other drugs among college students. A total of 417 undergraduate college students completed a survey in Fall 2015. Approximately 28.5% of students indicated they had engaged in the nonmedical use of prescription stimulants since entering college. Eighty-eight percent reported consuming alcohol, 56.4% had used marijuana, 9.1% had used cocaine, and 11.8% had used hallucinogens. Findings revealed that nonmedical use of prescription stimulants was a significant predictor of alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogen use among college students. Results also found that males were more likely to use hallucinogens compared to females and Whites were more likely to consume alcohol and use cocaine compared to other racial/ethnicity groups. College students’ attitudes and knowledge of associated risk factors is essential for creating appropriate programs. Increasing university programs that emphasize educating students about the dangers of NMUPD and improving knowledge about prescription drugs and the legal ramifications of misuse can potentially decrease misuse among college students.
Laura Nabors, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Ashley Merianos, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Rebecca Vidourek, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
79 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Oluwoye, O. A. (2016). The Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs and Other Substance Use among College Students [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1458900205

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Oluwoye, Oladunni. The Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs and Other Substance Use among College Students. 2016. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1458900205.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Oluwoye, Oladunni. "The Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs and Other Substance Use among College Students." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2016. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1458900205

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)