Pereception of Drug Use Among College Students
Location
Lobby in front of Auditorium
Start Date
19-4-2019 11:00 AM
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of drug use among various demographic groups. The study also investigates the difference of perceptions between prescription and illicit drugs. This study attempts to better understand societal perception of drug usage. Past research has shown attitudes towards illicit drug usage to be more negative when compared to prescription drug usage (Del Rio & Alvarez, 1995). In other studies, members of sexual minorities (not heterosexual) tend to engage in drug usage more often than heterosexuals (McCabe et. al., 2009). The question of whether individuals consider drug addiction to be a disease versus a choice by the user is not inherently new; other studies have certainly been conducted to investigate the various circumstances that could influence perception of drug addiction, however, it would be beneficial to further examine these potential correlations in light of recent political discourse. As such, the purpose of this study is to determine if there is a functional association between socio-political affiliation in college students and perceived attitude of drug addiction. Another factor that is investigated is ethnicity. Past research has shown a focus on African Americans and Caucasian drug usage. This study attempts to further investigate the racial differences. This study is significant because it is helping us understand the topic of substance abuse and how people perceive the individuals who engage in this behavior and if being a member of a minority has an impact on it.
Pereception of Drug Use Among College Students
Lobby in front of Auditorium
The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of drug use among various demographic groups. The study also investigates the difference of perceptions between prescription and illicit drugs. This study attempts to better understand societal perception of drug usage. Past research has shown attitudes towards illicit drug usage to be more negative when compared to prescription drug usage (Del Rio & Alvarez, 1995). In other studies, members of sexual minorities (not heterosexual) tend to engage in drug usage more often than heterosexuals (McCabe et. al., 2009). The question of whether individuals consider drug addiction to be a disease versus a choice by the user is not inherently new; other studies have certainly been conducted to investigate the various circumstances that could influence perception of drug addiction, however, it would be beneficial to further examine these potential correlations in light of recent political discourse. As such, the purpose of this study is to determine if there is a functional association between socio-political affiliation in college students and perceived attitude of drug addiction. Another factor that is investigated is ethnicity. Past research has shown a focus on African Americans and Caucasian drug usage. This study attempts to further investigate the racial differences. This study is significant because it is helping us understand the topic of substance abuse and how people perceive the individuals who engage in this behavior and if being a member of a minority has an impact on it.
Comments
Christopher Merchant is the faculty sponsor of this poster.