1. Towards an understanding of how stress and resources affect the nonmedical use of prescription drugs for performance enhancement among employees
- Author
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Baum, Myriam, Sattler, Sebastian, and Reimann, Mareike
- Subjects
Job stress -- Influence ,Employee performance -- Evaluation ,Stimulants -- Dosage and administration -- Public opinion ,Employees -- Beliefs, opinions and attitudes ,Psychology and mental health - Abstract
Based on assumptions of the Job Demands-Resources model, we investigated employees' willingness to use prescription drugs such as methylphenidate and modafinil for nonmedical purposes to enhance their cognitive functioning as a response to strain (i.e., perceived stress) that is induced by job demands (e.g., overtime, emotional demands, shift work, leadership responsibility). We also examined the direct and moderating effects of resources (e.g., emotional stability, social and instrumental social support) in this process. We utilized data from a representative survey of employees in Germany (N = 6454) encompassing various job demands and resources, levels of perceived stress, and willingness to use nonmedical drugs for performance enhancement purposes. By using Structural Equation Models, we found that job demands (such as overtime and emotional demands) and a scarcity of resources (such as emotional stability) increased strain, consequently directly and indirectly increasing the willingness to use prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement. Moreover, emotional stability reduced the effect of certain demands on strain. These results delivered new insights into mechanisms behind nonmedical prescription drug use that can be used to prevent such behaviour and potential negative health consequences., Author(s): Myriam Baum [sup.1] [sup.2] , Sebastian Sattler [sup.1] [sup.3] , Mareike Reimann [sup.4] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.6190.e, 0000 0000 8580 3777, Institute for Sociology and Social Psychology, University of [...]
- Published
- 2023
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