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Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift
Erschienen in: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift 11-12/2012

01.06.2012 | original article

Cognitive-enhancing substance use at German universities: frequency, reasons and gender differences

verfasst von: Stefanie Mache, PhD, MSc, Patrick Eickenhorst, MD, Karin Vitzthum, MSc, PhD, Prof. Burghard F. Klapp, MD, PhD, Prof. David A. Groneberg, MD, PhD

Erschienen in: Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift | Ausgabe 11-12/2012

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Summary

Background

The purpose of this study was to give an overview whether German students regularly use stimulants for enhancing their academic performance. Reasons associated with the use of these substances were explored. Moreover, gender differences were analyzed.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey study was performed analyzing a random sample of 1,053 students of different fields of study in Germany. Students were asked to complete an anonymous self-administered web-based survey containing questions on cognitive performance-enhancing substance use. We used statistical analyses, e.g. non-parametric tests to evaluate the data of our questionnaire.

Results

Among 1,053 students, 61 % responded to our questionnaire. The average age wasM = 24.58; 635 participants were female and 418 were male students. Total 1–13 % of the participating students have taken prescription stimulants (e.g. modafinil) or illicit drugs (e.g. cannabis) at least once in their lifetime. The most common reasons for taking stimulants were to support concentration, to relax and to increase alertness. We found significant gender differences with regard to frequency and reason for using performance-enhancing substances.

Conclusions

Our study results give an overview about the actual situation on frequency and reasons for taking performance-enhancing substances. Departments of Public Health should address this issue in national health debates and discussions. Based on our study findings health education programmes should be developed.
Vorheriger Artikel Impact of CYP2D6 polymorphism on tamoxifen therapy: where are we?
Nächster Artikel Eingeschränkter Zugang zur internationalen medizinischen Fachliteratur in der ehemaligen Sowjetunion
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Metadaten
Titel
Cognitive-enhancing substance use at German universities: frequency, reasons and gender differences
verfasst von
Stefanie Mache, PhD, MSc
Patrick Eickenhorst, MD
Karin Vitzthum, MSc, PhD
Prof. Burghard F. Klapp, MD, PhD
Prof. David A. Groneberg, MD, PhD
Publikationsdatum
01.06.2012
Verlag
Springer Vienna
Erschienen in
Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift / Ausgabe 11-12/2012
Print ISSN: 0043-5341
Elektronische ISSN: 1563-258X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-012-0115-y

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