Prescription drug misuse (PDM) among college students has emerged as a significant public health concern, with implications for mental health and subjective well-being over time. The study published in ScienceDirect delves into the associations between trajectories of PDM problems and college students’ mental health outcomes, shedding light on the nuanced interplay between substance use behaviours and psychological adjustment. Here are key insights gleaned from the research:

Trajectories of Prescription Drug Misuse

The longitudinal study tracked 300 college students over two years to assess the trajectory of PDM problems. Findings indicated an initial increasing trajectory of PDM problems, with notable individual variability in participants’ linear and quadratic changes over time. This highlights the dynamic nature of prescription drug misuse behaviours among young adults and the need for targeted interventions to address shifting patterns of substance use.

The research revealed significant associations between PDM problems and mental health indicators, including depressive symptoms, disinhibition, callousness/aggression, and subjective happiness. Higher levels of PDM problems at baseline were concurrently linked to elevated depressive symptoms, lower subjective happiness, and increased disinhibition, underscoring the complex relationship between substance misuse and psychological well-being among college students.

Parallel Trajectories

Parallel trajectories were observed between PDM problems and mental health outcomes, indicating co-occurring changes in substance use behaviours and psychological adjustment over time. Participants whose PDM problems worsened at baseline exhibited increases in depressive symptoms and general disinhibition over the subsequent two years, signalling the potential detrimental effects of escalating prescription drug misuse on mental health trajectories.

Sensitivity analyses that accounted for alcohol and other drug problems attenuated many of the associations between PDM problems and mental health outcomes. This suggests that the unique contribution of prescription drug misuse to mental health trajectories may be influenced by interactions with alcohol and other substance use issues, highlighting the importance of comprehensive assessments of co-occurring substance use behaviours.

Source: ScienceDirect