Search

Background: The present study aimed to explore women's perception of men with different addictions in terms of their short- and long-term mate value. Objectives: 2,525 women (age range: 18–40, M = 28.35, SD = 6.39) were randomized to six conditions in a vignette-based experiment where a male of otherwise high mating value was described as suffering from either gambling, gaming, cannabis, anabolic androgenic steroid, and alcohol addiction or as not suffering from addiction (control). Results: Regarding long-term mate value of the target, the control target was rated higher than each of the targets. The gaming target was rated higher than the alcohol, cannabis, and gambling targets. Finally, the AAS target was rated as higher on long-term mate value than the alcohol and gambling addiction targets. Conclusions: Overall, women seem to perceive risk-taking in the face of uncertainty, reflected by gambling addiction, as an attractive behavioral tendency in men in terms of short-term mating. In contrast, potential long-term mates with gaming or chemical addictions are viewed more negatively, probably because it signals inadequate time and resources to be invested in a relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of legal and illegal muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements has been linked to many adverse health and social outcomes. Research has shown that social media use is associated with the use of these drugs and dietary supplements; however, it remains unknown whether social media companies have specific policies related to the content and advertising of muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements on their platforms. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the content and advertising policies of eight popular social media companies related to muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements. Content and advertising policies for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch, and Reddit were analyzed in November 2022 to determine whether there were any provisions related to legal (e.g., whey protein) and illegal (e.g., anabolic-androgenic steroids) muscle-building drugs and dietary supplements. Policies were classified as either none, restricted, or prohibited. All eight social media platforms had explicit policies prohibiting user-generated content and advertising of illicit drugs and substances (e.g., anabolic-androgenic steroids). User-generated content and advertising policies related to legal muscle-building dietary supplements across the platforms varied; however, none of the eight social media companies had a specific policy regarding user content. Findings underscore the need for stronger social media content and advertising policies related to legal muscle-building dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the online proliferation of illegal substances, the Internet offers a wide variety of information on the acquisition and intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and other performance and image enhancing drugs. This study focuses on investigating the characteristics of the online AAS market in Central Asia. Objectives: The primary objectives of this study were to investigate the accessibility and features of the online market for AAS in Central Asia. To achieve this, we employed a netnographic approach for a systematic exploration of websites advertising and selling AAS. The study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis of several key aspects, including the variety of AAS products offered, the quality of health advice provided the level of product availability, the procedures involved in making purchases, and the pricing structures within this market. Results: Twenty-one websites supplying AAS in Central Asia met our inclusion criteria. Using content analysis, data were gathered on AAS offerings, quality of health advice provided, availability, purchase process, and prices. Data were synthesized using descriptive statistics. Results indicate that AAS are easily accessible for purchase without valid medical prescription in the Central Asia online market. Most websites advertised the aesthetic and ergogenic benefits of AAS use without indicating the potential complications and adverse effects. Conclusions: Public health efforts to mitigate AAS use in Central Asia should consider both the online accessibility of AAS and the lack of accompanying information on potential complications as well as adverse effects associated with their use. Efforts must be intensified to curtail the proliferation of AAS and related misleading information on the Central Asian online market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is a dearth of longitudinal studies on risk factors for anabolic–androgenic steroid (AAS) use and intent. Objectives: We conducted a longitudinal investigation of factors associated with AAS use intent from age 18 to 19, examining particularly the role of physical and verbal aggression. A sample of Norwegians completed questionnaires containing demographic, AAS use and intent, other addictions, aggression, and health measures at ages 18 (N = 1333, females = 58.9%) and 19 (N = 1277, females = 61.7%). The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Results show that AAS use prevalence increased from 1 person at age 18 to 4 persons at age 19. Intent to use AAS, being male, living alone, and AAS use (all at 18 years) were associated with higher AAS use intent at 19 years. We found no associations between physical or verbal aggression and AAS use intent from ages 18 to 19. Conclusions: Our findings indicate temporal stability in AAS use intent, as well as the influence of demographic and health factors on AAS use intent from ages 18 to 19. Implications of findings for practice and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Reports indicate that 4% of the adolescent males in 2015 had taken steroids without a doctor's prescription. Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are illicit drugs that have commonly been used to help build muscle mass. AAS use is associated with negative biological, psychological, and social side effects including substance use, suicidal behavior, and violent behavior. Objectives: This exploratory study, guided by an integrated theoretical framework that included the General Aggression Model and the Biopsychosocial Model, examined the relationship between adolescent male AAS use and teen dating violence. Methods: This cross-sectional, secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2013 and 2015 Massachusetts Youth Health Survey (MYHS). Participants were high school-aged males with a total sample of 2,080. Primary data analysis was conducted using hierarchical logistic regression. Results: Findings suggested that adolescent males who used steroids at least once in their lifetime, compared to those who did not, had greater odds of engaging in teen dating violence. Further, males who identified as a sexual minority had greater odds of using anabolic-androgenic steroids, as were those who had at least one suicide attempt in the previous 12 months. Conclusions: Adolescent male AAS use is associated with multiple psychosocial factors that practitioners, school personnel, and parents must be aware of. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the relationship between aggression and anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use intent among adolescents. A nationally representative sample of Norwegian 18-year-olds (N = 1,334, females = 58.7%) took part in a survey in 2013 (response rate = 64.9%). Participants completed the physical and verbal subscales of the Short-Form Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire, the Intent to use AAS Scale, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. They also provided demographic information and answered questions about AAS use, gambling participation, as well as cigarette and snus use. Descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression were used to analyze the data. Lifetime and past year prevalence of AAS use was 0.1%. Between 0.4% and 1.7% of participants disclosed intent to use while between 1.1% and 2.5% expressed neutral intent to initiate AAS use. Compared to persons low on aggression, individuals high on aggression were more likely to report intent and curiosity towards initiating AAS use. Our findings indicate that aggression is a risk factor for AAS use contemplation among adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of anabolic-androgenic steroids consumption in male students studying at the university and their awareness, attitude, and role of sports activities; the present descriptive study was conducted on 271 volunteers in 2008. The data collected by self-report questionnaires was analyzed by descriptive inferential statistics. The prevalence of consumption was 3.3%, and it was significantly higher in those with a history of bodybuilding or athletic performance. The overall awareness rate was low, and the attitude was too optimistic. It seems that unawareness, incorrect attitude, and history of athletic performance increases the risk of consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the abuse of over-the-counter (OTC) products (e.g. proteins, dietary supplements) and prescription drugs (e.g. hormones) in gymnasiums in Amman by random distribution of a structured questionnaire to 375 gym clients (November 2012-February 2013). Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows (version 17.0). A total of 31 (8.8%) clients admitted to using 21 products (mentioned 71 times) of anabolic steroids and other hormones (e.g., growth hormone and thyroxine) to increase muscular power at the gym or build muscle mass. Abuse of different prescription and OTC drugs among gymnasium clients is present in Jordan, but current methods for controlling the problem are ineffective. Better methods should be developed. The study's limitations are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids (AAS) is increasing among practitioners of recreational physical activity. The aim of this research was to evaluate the prevalence of AAS in practitioners of recreational physical activity in Brazil. After systematic review of four databases, 14 articles were included. The results indicate that the prevalence of AAS varied between 2.1% and 31.6%, according to the region analyzed and the sample characteristics. The study's limitations are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the degree to which anabolic-androgenic steroids are proffered for sale over the Internet and how they are characterized on popular Web sites. Searches for specific steroid product labels (e.g., Dianabol) between March 2006 and June 2006 revealed that approximately half of the Web sites advocated their 'safe' use, and roughly one third offered to sell them without prescriptions. The Web sites frequently presented misinformation about steroids and minimized their dangers. Less than 5%% of the Web sites presented accurate health risk information about steroids or provided information to abusers seeking to discontinue their steroid use. Implications for education, prevention, treatment, and policy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This correlational study explored the psychological antecedents of 253 Iranian gym users' intentions to use the anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS), based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). The three predictor variables of (1) attitude, (2) subjective norms, and (3) perceived behavioral control accounted for 63%% of the variation in the outcome measure of the intention to use the AAS. There is some support to use the TPB to design and implement interventions to modify and/or improve individuals' beliefs that athletic goals are achievable without the use of the AAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) are used to enhance performance and appearance. The aim of this research was to assess the knowledge of AAS among Brazilian bodybuilders. The sample was comprised of 123 male participants between the ages of 18 and 50 years. Questionnaires were administered to bodybuilders from gyms in the district capital and in the rural area of Pernambuco, state of northeast of Brazil, in 2008. We analyzed the use and abuse of AAS from several different perspectives among the bodybuilders. For the participants in our study, enhanced appearance justifies the misuse of AAS. The study's limitations are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on the data gathered in the 2006 Monitoring the Future study of American youth, the present research examines associations between use of narcotics and use of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) among high-school seniors ( n = 2,489). With independent measures and controls including sex, race, media exposure, socializing with friends, participation in recreational and school-sponsored sports, perceptions of drug use among professional athletes, and perceptions of steroid use among close friends, binary logistic regression analyses revealed significant associations between AAS use and the use of alcohol, crack cocaine, Vicodin, gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), Ketamine, and Rohypnol. While use of both AASs and the narcotic drugs generally did not eclipse 5% of the sample, the numbers extend to many thousands in larger populations. Implications for health practitioners and recommendations for future research are offered. The study's limitations are noted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]