János Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Introduction: New psychoactive substances (NPS) pose a public health threat. Many
studies have tried to identify the reasons of NPS use; however, none of them have
so far used any standardised measures. The aim of this study was (i) to develop and
cross-culturally validate the New Psychoactive Substance Use Motives Measure (NPSMM)
and (ii) to compare motives of NPS use across countries and user types. Methods: Three
subgroups (socially marginalised users, nightlife attendees and members of online
communities) of NPS users (N = 3023) were recruited from six EU member countries.
Demographics, motives and types of NPS used were assessed. NPS use motives were measured
by adapting the extended six-factor version of the Marijuana Motives Measure. Results:
Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis resulted in a similar five-factor solution
across most of the countries: coping, enhancement, social, conformity and expansion
motives. Marginalised users scored higher on coping and conformity motives, nightlife
groups showed higher endorsement of social motive, whereas online community users
showed higher scores on expansion motives. Various types of NPS were also associated
with different motives. Conclusion: NPS use motives might be associated with both
the groups of users and the specific types of NPS being consumed. Expansion (psychedelics)
and enhancement (stimulants) motives seemed to be linked to the chosen NPS product
type, while coping, social and conformity motives were rather associated with user
groups. NPSMM was found to be a valid instrument to measure NPS motives.
