title: Misperceptions of peer pill-popping: the prevalence, correlates, and effects of inaccurate assumptions about peer pharmaceutical misuse.
abstract: Peer behaviors may significantly influence personal behavior yet individuals may not accurately estimate their peers' actions. Overestimations of peer substance use may encourage initiation or exacerbate extant problems. The present study examines misperceptions of peer pharmaceutical misuse and explores the relationship between reported misuse and perceptions of misuse for four categories of prescription drugs. Data collected from 2,349 college students in the Southeastern United States were analyzed and results indicated that overall perceptions of misuse were significantly higher than actual misuse. These findings suggest that intervention efforts may benefit from addressing misperceptions of pharmaceutical misuse. Study limitations and implications are addressed.
authors: 1Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA.
authors: Amber
authors: A
authors: Sanders
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Stogner
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Seibert
authors: Bryan Lee
authors: BL
authors: Miller
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D010379:Peer Group; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012925:Social Conformity; D066262:Social Norms; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives