Non-medical prescription stimulant use: Investigating modifiable risk factors

Many college students report non-medical prescription stimulant use (NPS), frequently citing cognitive enhancement benefits as their primary motive for use. One known risk factor for NPS is low grade point average (GPA), which may promote poor academic self-efficacy, leading to NPS. This may be particularly true for students who hold strong cognitive enhancement expectations for NPS. This study aimed to examine these variables as modifiable risk factors for NPS and to examine their interactive effects on intention to use. One hundred fifty-four undergraduate students completed measures to assess demographics, history of NPS and related expectancy effects and self-efficacy for learning. Strong cognitive enhancement expectancies and low academic self-efficacy were found to predict intention to engage in NPS after controlling for other known risk factors. Moreover, students with low GPA and strong cognitive enhancement expectancies appear to be particularly at risk for intent to engage in NPS. Unlike most known risk factors for NPS, expectancy effects and self-efficacy are able to be altered though intervention. Future research should focus on the development of interventions to modify these cognitions.