Study Drugs and Academic Integrity: The Role of Beliefs About an Academic Honor Code in the Prediction of Nonmedical Prescription Drug Use for Academic Enhancement

The role of beliefs about academic integrity in college students’ decisions to use nonmedical prescription drugs (NMPDs) in academic settings was examined. In Spring 2012 the authors obtained survey data from 645 participants at a small, undergraduate, private liberal arts institution in the Northeastern United States. A broadcast e-mail message was sent to 1,982 students, and data were collected via an anonymous online survey. Of the participants, 19% reported using medication prescribed for ADHD for academic enhancement: Adderall® was the primary medication used. Academic use of NMPDs was higher among participants who had lower levels of belief that such use violated standards of an academic honor code. Furthermore, NMPD use was higher among students for whom the perception of peer use was higher. There is potential to reduce NMPD use on college campuses through implementation of honor codes and campus-wide campaigns related to academic integrity.