Prescription and Non-Prescription Anxiolytic Use is Linked to Personal Characteristics Among University Students
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Mental health promotion and substance use prevention are essential issues at universities worldwide. Although research has identified risk and protective factors for substance use generally among college students, there is a paucity of knowledge about anxiolytic use. Thus, the main objective of this study was to analyze if prescription and non-prescription anxiolytic use was related to self-control, self-esteem and self-efficacy. A cross-sectional study design included 1,687 undergraduate students (Mage = 20.30 years; SD = 2.76) at a Spanish university. Validated instruments were administrated for data collection, under the supervision of a research team member. Descriptive analyses showed that almost 12% of the sample reports prescription anxiolytic use and more than 6% of non-prescription anxiolytic use in the last 6 months. There were considerable differences between genders, with females reporting higher consumption. Linear regression analyses showed that low self-control and low self-esteem predicted both prescription and non-prescription anxiolytic use. Being female predicted only non-prescription anxiolytic use. Considering these findings, strategies to improve self-control and self-efficacy among university students could be a successful element preventing or decreasing anxiolytic use and misuse.
Source: Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4405758874