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Anabolic androgenic steroid dependence is associated with impaired emotion recognition.
- Source :
-
Psychopharmacology [Psychopharmacology (Berl)] 2019 Sep; Vol. 236 (9), pp. 2667-2676. Date of Electronic Publication: 2019 Apr 02. - Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- Rationale: Illicit use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) has grown into a serious public health concern throughout the Western World. AAS use is associated with adverse medical, psychological, and social consequences. Around 30% of AAS users develop a dependence syndrome with sustained use despite adverse side effects. AAS dependence is associated with a high frequency of intra- and interpersonal problems, and it is central to identify factors related to the development and maintenance of dependence.<br />Methods: The present study investigated the ability to recognize emotion from biological motion. The emotional biological motion task was administered to male AAS dependent users (AAS dependents; n = 45), AAS non-dependent users (AAS non-dependents; n = 38) and a comparison-group of non-using weightlifters (non-users; n = 69).<br />Results: Multivariate analysis of variance showed a general impairment in emotion recognition in AAS dependents, compared to the non-using weightlifters, whereas no significant impairment was observed in AAS non-dependents. Furthermore, AAS dependents showed impaired recognition of fearful stimuli compared to both AAS non-dependents and non-using weightlifters. The between-group effect remained significant after controlling for Intelligence Quotient (IQ), past 6 months of non-AAS drug use, antisocial personality problems, anxiety, and depression.<br />Conclusion: AAS dependents show impaired emotion recognition from body movement, fear in particular, which could potentially contribute to higher frequency of interpersonal problems and antisocial behaviors in this population.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Anabolic Agents administration & dosage
Androgens administration & dosage
Anxiety Disorders chemically induced
Anxiety Disorders psychology
Cross-Sectional Studies
Depression chemically induced
Depression psychology
Emotions physiology
Humans
Male
Movement physiology
Photic Stimulation methods
Recognition, Psychology physiology
Resistance Training methods
Substance-Related Disorders diagnosis
Testosterone Congeners administration & dosage
Testosterone Congeners adverse effects
Young Adult
Anabolic Agents adverse effects
Androgens adverse effects
Emotions drug effects
Movement drug effects
Recognition, Psychology drug effects
Substance-Related Disorders psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1432-2072
- Volume :
- 236
- Issue :
- 9
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Psychopharmacology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 30941469
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-019-05239-7