Psychometric evaluation of a Prescription Stimulant Expectancy Questionnaire.
Expectancies influence the initiation and maintenance of substance use. Given the increasing literature devoted to the rise of prescription stimulant misuse, an examination of expectancy effects associated with prescription stimulant use appears warranted. This study employed a revised version of the Prescription Stimulant Expectancy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and examined its psychometric properties in a nationwide sample of 547 participants. An exploratory factor analysis of the 46-item revised questionnaire (PSEQ-II) identified 4 factors: Cognitive Enhancement, Anxiety and Arousal, Social Enhancement, and Guilt and Dependence. The PSEQ-II successfully discriminated among user groups (i.e., nonusers, recreational users, medical users, recreational/medical users). Recreational/medical users held the strongest positive expectancies and nonusers held the weakest; negative expectancies were held most strongly by nonusers and weakest by medical users. Use of the PSEQ-II and knowledge of prescription stimulant-related expectancies may assist in the prevention and treatment of prescription stimulant misuse.
Looby
Alison
A
Department of Psychology, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, NY 12222, USA. al116784@albany.edu
Earleywine
Mitch
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D055553:Prescription Drugs