Correlates of Recreation- Versus Academic-Motivated Misuse of Prescription Stimulants

Our goal was to compare and contrast the correlates of academic- and recreation-motivated misuse of prescription stimulants (MPS). Questionnaires were distributed to a probability sample of students attending two universities. We used a series of logistic regression analyses to examine intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental correlates of use among academic-motivated users (versus nonacademic-motivated users) and recreation-motivated users (versus nonrecreation-motivated users; N = 257 students with MPS experience). Sensations seeking, older age, academic concern, family perception of MPS, family and faculty endorsement of MPS, perceived prevalence of MPS among friends, and financial stress were unique correlates of recreation-motivated MPS. Inattention, friends’ perception of MPS, friend endorsement of MPS, perception of willingness of health care providers to write prescriptions and negative expectancies were unique correlates of academic-motivated MPS. Variables that were correlates of both motives were race/ethnicity, year in school, avoidance self-efficacy, diversion, positive MPS expectancies, MPS intention, and other substance use. These findings have important prevention and intervention implications.