ORIGINAL PAPER
A qualitative exploration of the motivations underlying anabolic-androgenic steroid use from adolescence into adulthood
1
Cardiff Metropolitan University, United Kingdom
Submission date: 2016-06-08
Final revision date: 2016-07-11
Acceptance date: 2016-07-12
Online publication date: 2016-08-05
Publication date: 2016-08-11
Health Psychology Report 2016;4(4):315-320
KEYWORDS
body imageanabolic steroidsAdolescent Substance useRisk-taking behavioursadolescent substance userisk-taking behaviours
TOPICS
health attitudes and behaviorchild and adolescent healthlifespan approaches to health, including those related to older adults
ABSTRACT
Background
This study explored the direct experience of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use by young men, with an emphasis on how motivations progressed from adolescent initiation to more entrenched usage.
Participants and procedure
Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals ranging in experience of AAS use, from novice to experienced users.
Results
The results indicated that the young adult men progressed through a clear transition whereby their motives for using these substances changed from a mere desire to compete with other men to more internalised body image problems.
Conclusions
The findings presented suggest a more complex relationship between AAS use and body image pathology than previously suggested.
This study explored the direct experience of anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) use by young men, with an emphasis on how motivations progressed from adolescent initiation to more entrenched usage.
Participants and procedure
Nine semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals ranging in experience of AAS use, from novice to experienced users.
Results
The results indicated that the young adult men progressed through a clear transition whereby their motives for using these substances changed from a mere desire to compete with other men to more internalised body image problems.
Conclusions
The findings presented suggest a more complex relationship between AAS use and body image pathology than previously suggested.
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