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.
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.
Authors: Lisa L Weyandt; Danielle R Oster; Marisa E Marraccini; Bergljot Gyda Gudmundsdottir; Bailey A Munro; Emma S Rathkey; Alison McCallum Journal: Exp Clin Psychopharmacol Date: 2016-10 Impact factor: 3.157
Authors: Lisa L Weyandt; Tara L White; Bergljot Gyda Gudmundsdottir; Adam Z Nitenson; Emma S Rathkey; Kelvin A De Leon; Stephanie A Bjorn Journal: Pharmacy (Basel) Date: 2018-06-27
Authors: Jayne Lucke; Charmaine Jensen; Matthew Dunn; Gary Chan; Cynthia Forlini; Sharlene Kaye; Bradley Partridge; Michael Farrell; Eric Racine; Wayne Hall Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2018-11-19 Impact factor: 3.295