title: Prescription Stimulant Misuse and ADHD Symptomatology Among College Students in Iceland.
abstract: 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 amongN= 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.affiliation: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, USA.|Breidholt Service Center, Reykjavik, Iceland.
authors.forename: Bergljot Gyda
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Gudmundsdottir
authors.affiliation: University of Rhode Island, Kingston, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Weyandt
authors.affiliation: Sudurnes Hospital and Health Center, Reykjanesbaer, Iceland.
authors.forename: Gabriela Bryndis
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Ernudottir
mesh_terms: D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007055:Iceland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse; D013334:Students; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D014481:United States; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants
keywords: academic performance; college students; prescription stimulants; psychosocial risk factors; stimulant misuse