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The moderating effect of the social norm on the relationship between stress and cognitive-enhancement drug use

Weist, F. (2018) The moderating effect of the social norm on the relationship between stress and cognitive-enhancement drug use.

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Abstract:This study aims at examining the relationship between stress and cognitive-enhancement (CE) drug use in university students, as well as the moderating effect of the social norm on that relationship. Until today, not many underlying factors and mechanisms are known that drive students to engage in CE-drug use. This study intends to contribute to filling this gap of knowledge. Using a quantitative cross-sectional online survey-based research design (N=270), the participants had to fill in three questionnaires, one about stress (Perceived Stress Scale), one about social norm (Peer Pressure Inventory) and a self-invented scale about their CE-drug use. With the aid of SPSS, descriptive statistics were gathered, and stepwise multiple regression and a moderation analysis were conducted. Based on the results, no significant relations were found between stress and CE-drug use. However, significant correlations had been found between stress and social norm and between social norm and CE-drug use. The study showed that the social norm is an important factor in CE-drug use that has been neglected in existing research. A suggestion for the practice to use this knowledge would be to target the social norm in interventions to educate university students and potentially prevent further CE-drug use.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/75219
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