Illicit Use of Prescription Stimulants: Gender Differences in Perceptions of Risk

Background: Little research exists on gender differences regarding the relationship between illicit use of prescription stimulants (IUPS) and perceptions of risk of illicit use. Risk perception is a common target for both prevention and intervention programs. Objectives: To measure gender differences in prevalence rates of illicit use and perceptions of legal, health, and social risks of illicit use. Method: Data from undergraduate students at a large, southeastern university (N=1,714) were examined for gender differences in prevalence of illicit use and related risk perceptions. Results: More men engaged in illicit use than women (26.2% vs. 18.7%). Overall, men perceived lower legal, health, and social risks related to illicit use. Further, illicit users also perceived lower legal, health, and social risks. Nonusing men perceived lower legal and health risks than nonusing women, but similar levels of social risks. Within the subgroup of illicit users, men perceived lower health risks than women, but similar levels of legal and social risk. Conclusions/Importance: There were significant gender differences in IUPS and risk perception, with particular importance of lack of social risk perceived for all groups and lower health risk perception for men who had engaged in IUPS. It is unclear if the lower risk perceptions are present prior to or after illicit use begins and whether risk perceptions affect the development, maintenance, or termination of illicit use behaviors. Future research is needed to clarify these relationships and to evaluate whether increasing risk perceptions is a viable target for prevention or intervention efforts.