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Exploring the Relationship Between the Misuse of Stimulant Medications and Academic Dishonesty Among a Sample of College Students

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Abstract

The misuse of prescription stimulant medications (MPS) and academic dishonesty (AD) are both problematic behaviors among college students. Although both behaviors are linked to a student’s desire to succeed academically, little research has been conducted to examine the relationship between these behaviors. The purpose of this study was to determine if students who engaged in past-year MPS committed acts of AD more frequently than those who do not engage in MPS. We collected our data from a sample of undergraduates (n = 974) between the ages of 18 and 25 enrolled at one of three universities in the US who completed an online questionnaire to assess AD and MPS. Results indicated that 18.2 % of the sample engaged in MPS in the past year and 65 % committed one or more acts of AD during the past year. An increased frequency of AD increased the odds of reporting MPS when controlling for known covariates (e.g., gender, stimulant prescription status, and energy drink consumption). In addition, higher rates of MPS were identified in students affiliated with a Greek organization, those with a current stimulant prescription, those who consume energy drinks, and those who misuse other prescriptions. Concerning specific AD-types, misusers reported copying off someone else’s homework, having someone copy of their homework, and using the internet to commit acts of dishonesty more frequently than those who do not engage in MPS. This study adds to the MPS college student literature by highlighting the relationship between MPS and AD.

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Funding

This study was self-funded by the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97313, Waco, TX, 76798, USA

    Andrew R. Gallucci

  2. Department of Health Education and Promotion, East Carolina University, 2206 Carol Belk Building, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA

    Ryan J. Martin

  3. Kinesiology Department, California Polytechnic State University, Office 43A-372, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93407, USA

    Christine Hackman

  4. Department of Health Science, The University of Alabama, Box 870311, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487, USA

    Amanda Hutcheson

Authors
  1. Andrew R. Gallucci
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  2. Ryan J. Martin
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  3. Christine Hackman
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  4. Amanda Hutcheson
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Correspondence to Andrew R. Gallucci.

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Gallucci, A.R., Martin, R.J., Hackman, C. et al. Exploring the Relationship Between the Misuse of Stimulant Medications and Academic Dishonesty Among a Sample of College Students. J Community Health 42, 287–294 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-016-0254-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-016-0254-y

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