Sociodemographic, psychiatric, and personality correlates of non-prescribed use of amphetamine medications for academic performance among medical students

摘要

Use of psychostimulants without a medical indication to supposedly improve academic performance is common among medical students, but its correlates remain poorly understood.1,2 In this cross-sectional study (Plataforma Brasil ethical approval 52982815.9.0000.5636), we explored sociodemographic, psychiatric, and personality factors associated with this phenomenon. Students from all semesters of two universities (A, public, and B, private) in the metropolitan area of Florianópolis (state of Santa Catarina, Brazil) were invited, at the start or the end of classes, to answer an anonymous, self-report questionnaire about methylphenidate or lisdexamfetamine use patterns, gender, living situation, household monthly income per capita, and last-month cannabis use, as well as complete the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test - Consumption (AUDIT-C), 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Self-Report Scale (ASRS), and Big Five Inventory (BFI) instruments.