Risk factors for anabolic steroid use in college students and the role of expectancy

Anabolic steroids are now recognized as a widespread addictive and dangerous substance, no longer exclusively used as an aid to muscle size and strength in world-class athletes. Psychologists have neglected prevention programs for steroid abuse, in part because of a lack of knowledge of the precipitants of abuse. This study examined demographics, personality factors, and steroid expectancies as risk factors for future steroid use. Older subjects, extraversion, global-positive expectancies for steroid use, and identification with peers who advocated health-risk behaviors predicted higher steroid use, whereas specific social-behavioral negative expectancies for steroid use significantly predicted lowered risk of steroid use. These findings are discussed in the context of past research, and implications for preventive intervention are described.