College Prescription Opioid Misuse: An Exploration of Social Learning, Social Control, and Strain Theories

Prescription opioids, when used as medically intended, can be effective in pain management. However, the consequences and costs of widespread misuse of prescription opioids in the United States are cause for concern. Prescription opioids are related to increased risk of death and injury. Young adults, between the ages of 18 and 25, have the highest rates of misuse nationally and within this age group, college students may be particularly at risk. In order to effectively curb the growing misuse of prescription opioids within college populations, we must have a better understanding of the factors that potentially lead to misuse. This study used an online survey, distributed to a sample of 616 undergraduate students at four-year universities nationally to collect information about prescription opioid misuse and potential predictors of misuse. Results showed that 17% of undergraduates in the study had misused opioids at least once in their lifetime. Results also showed the being older, male, living in Greek housing, having friends that use illicit drugs or misuse prescription drugs, and experiencing moderate to severe depression were risk factors for misuse. Students who believed their parents/guardians held negative views of prescription opioid misuse were less likely to misuse. The implications of these findings as well as limitations and future directions are discussed

Screening with young offenders with an intellectual disability

The research suggests that young offenders with an intellectual disability (ID) may not always be identified within youth justice services. This pilot study assessed some aspects of the validity of a screening tool, the Child and Adolescent Intellectual Disability Screening Questionnaire (CAIDS-Q), in UK forensic settings, using data from 23 individuals. The CAIDS-Q had positive and negative predictive power of 100%. In addition, a significant difference was found in CAIDS-Q scores between those with and without an ID, with the latter group scoring significantly higher, indicating discriminative validity. A significant positive relationship was found between full-scale IQ and CAIDS-Q scores, indicating convergent validity. The pilot study suggested that the CAIDS-Q may represent a valid screening tool to identify those young offenders who are likely to have an ID. Limitations and implications of the pilot are discussed

Similarities and Differences in Correlates and Trends in Prescription Stimulant and Prescription Opioid Misuse Among College Students

When used as medically intended, prescription opioid and stimulant medications can have therapeutic benefits. Misuse of these medications, however, presents significant health risks, including increased risk of death and injury. Young adults, ages 18 to 25, have the highest rates of misuse of prescription opioids and stimulants nationally and within this age group, college students may be particularly at risk. This two-study dissertation explored factors related to prescription opioid and prescription stimulant misuse in college students in order to assess similarities and differences in correlates and trends. Study #1 assessed for similarities and differences in correlates of prescription opioid misuse and prescription stimulant misuse, and built predictive models of prescription opioid misuse and prescription stimulant misuse. Study #2 examined the relationship between perceived risk of prescription misuse and engagement in misuse of each type of prescription. Additionally, study #2 examined initial motives for misuse and initial source of misused medication for prescription opioid and prescription stimulant misuse. Results from study #1 demonstrated some variation in predictors used for optimized prediction of prescription opioid and stimulant misuse. Results from study #2 revealed that higher perceived risk of prescription misuse is related to lower engagement in prescription opioid and prescription stimulant misuse. Additionally, there was a significant relationship between initial motive for misuse and initial source of misused medication for prescription opioids, such that participants who engaged in prescription opioid misuse for the first time in order to relieve physical pain were most likely to obtain the prescription opioid medication misused from their own prescription (i.e., leftover from an old prescription, taking prescription in a way other than how it was prescribed). Implications, limitations, and future directions of both studies were discussed

Electronic Flashcards as a Tool to Improve Exam Readiness

Many college classes have basic information that must be learned before students can master the more complex application and analysis of advanced ideas in the class. Students often struggle with identifying and learning these facts, terms, and principles. This paper reports on a project that evaluated the use of electronic flashcards in two undergraduate engineering classes. The study materials (online flashcards) were developed in conjunction with the university\u27s Educational Technology Office

Introduction to Communication and Information Systems Technology for Crisis and Disaster Management Minitrack

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