Related Experiment Videos
Beliefs about steroids: user vs. non-user comparisons
1Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, USA.
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
|March 1, 1996
Summary
Anabolic steroid (AS) users and non-users hold different beliefs about steroid effects. AS-using bodybuilders perceive steroids as enhancing physical strength, athletic ability, and psychological well-being.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Psychology of Exercise
Background:
- Understanding user beliefs is crucial for addressing anabolic steroid (AS) use.
- Discrepancies in perceptions between users and non-users offer insights into motivations and consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the beliefs of anabolic steroid users and non-users regarding the physical and psychological effects of AS.
- To identify specific beliefs that differentiate AS users from non-users in the bodybuilding community.
Main Methods:
- A comparative study involving two groups of bodybuilders: AS users (n=20) and non-users (n=27).
- Subjects completed the Beliefs About Steroids Scale (BASS), a 40-item questionnaire assessing perceived effects of AS.
- Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was used to compare belief differences between the groups.
Main Results:
- AS users reported stronger beliefs in the positive effects of steroids compared to non-users.
- Significant differences were found in beliefs concerning physical enhancement (strength, athletic ability) and psychological benefits (confidence, assertiveness, sexuality, optimism).
Conclusions:
- Bodybuilders who use anabolic steroids hold distinct beliefs about their enhancing capabilities.
- These findings highlight the psychological and physical expectations associated with AS use in bodybuilding, informing prevention and intervention strategies.