Factors Associated With Anabolic Steroids Use in Bodybuilding Athletes Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

Background: Athletes’ use of androgenic-anabolic steroids (AASs) is a significant health problem. This study aimed to determine factors associated with AAS in male bodybuilders by applying the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Methods: Using a multistage random sampling procedure, this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 429 athletes participating in gyms in Qom, Iran, in 2019. The data collection tool was a questionnaire, including demographic information and questions related to TPB constructs. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and linear regression using SPSS software, version 16. Results: The results demonstrated that 188 (48.2%) athletes had a history of AAS use. The attitude (β=0.39), subjective norm (β=0.26), and perceived behavioral control (β=-0.36) predicted 38% of the variance of intention to AAS use. Further, behavioral intention was the statistically significant predictor of AAS use among the studied athletes (OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.78-0.87). Variables such as having friends (OR=2.06, 95% CI: 1.28-3.30) or a sports coach using AAS (OR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.58-6.42) and having a history of supplementation use (OR=5.8, 95% CI: 2.65-12.8), along with age (OR=4.3, 95% CI: 0.35-53.6) had a significantly predictive role in using AAS. Conclusion: The findings revealed that nearly half of the studied athletes had a history of using AAS and supplements. TPB is applicable to identify the determinants of beliefs, intention, and behavior to use AAS among athletes. These findings can be useful in designing appropriate programs to prevent AAS use.

Assessment of Organ Donation Intention Among Employees Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior: Application of Structural Equation Modeling

“…Consistent with the current study, previous research (31,37) reported that PBC was the strongest predictor of organ donation intention, suggesting that participants believed in their personal control and ability to donate organs. Conversely, in the study of Khoshravesh et al, the PBC construct did not predict signing the donor card directly (11).…”

“…According to the results of the path analysis of model fit, the path coefficient related to PBC and attitude toward behavioral intention to donate organs was statistically significant. The concept of PBC contributes more to predicting organ donation intention, which conforms to the results of some studies (26,37).…”

Community Diagnosis in Banguntapan Village Bantul Regency, Yogyakarta

“…45,46 Previous studies suggest that attitude and self-control affect a person's decision to wear a helmet and drive safely, which involves the psychological dynamics of obeying predetermined traffic laws. 47 The waste problem requires more attention from various parties, both the government and the surrounding community. Until now, the problem of waste has not been resolved.…”