Steroid Use, Health Risk Behaviors and Adverse Health Indicators among U.S. High School Students

DiClemente, Ralph J.; Jackson, Jerrold M.; Hertzberg, Vicki; Seth, Puja

doi:10.4172/2327-4972.1000127

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 30 publications

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“…Polypharmacy is common among AAS users (DiClemente, 2014 ; Dodge & Hoagland, 2011 ; DuRant et al., 1995 ; Pope et al., 2012 ; Pope & Katz, 1994 ; Sagoe et al., 2015 ; Skarberg et al., 2009 ), as was also the case in our sample, where the median BR score on “drug dependence” was 60 for the AAS users. The majority of AAS users scored below the cut‐off, but 14.4% displayed elevated scores, with the most problematic substance use seen in the severe multipathology cluster.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 75%

Clustering psychopathology in male anabolic–androgenic steroid users and nonusing weightlifters

et al. 2023

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Introduction Prior research has demonstrated that personality disorders and clinical psychiatric syndromes are common among users of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AAS). However, the prevalence, expression, and severity of psychopathology differ among AAS users and remain poorly understood. In this study, we examine the existence of potential clinically coherent psychopathology subgroups, using cluster procedures. Methods A sample of 118 male AAS users and 97 weightlifting nonusers was assessed using the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory‐III (MCMI‐III), measuring personality disorders and clinical syndromes. Group differences in MCMI‐III scales were assessed using Wilcoxon‐Mann–Whitney tests and Fisher's exact test. Agglomerative hierarchical clustering was used to identify clusters based on MCMI‐III scale scores from the whole sample. Results AAS users displayed significantly higher scores on all personality disorder (except narcissistic) and clinical syndrome scales compared to nonusing weightlifters. The clustering analysis found four separate clusters with different levels and patterns of psychopathology. The “no psychopathology” cluster was most common among nonusing weightlifters, while the three other clusters were more common among AAS users: “severe multipathology,” “low multipathology,” and “mild externalizing.” The “severe multipathology” cluster was found almost exclusively among AAS users. AAS users also displayed the highest scores on drug and alcohol dependence syndromes. Conclusions AAS users in our sample demonstrated greater psychopathology than the nonusing weightlifters, with many exhibiting multipathology. This may pose a significant challenge to clinical care for AAS users, particularly as there appears to be significant variation in psychopathology in this population. Individual psychiatric profiles should be taken into consideration when providing treatment to this group. Significant Outcomes As a group, AAS users displayed markedly greater psychopathology than nonusing weightlifters. Multipathology was common among AAS users. Four different subgroups of personality profiles were identified with distinct patterns of pathology and severity. Limitations The cross‐sectional nature of the study precludes inferences about causality. The study is limited by possible selection bias, as participants choosing to be involved in research may not be entirely representative for the group as a whole. The study is vulnerable to information bias, as the results are based on self‐report measures and interviews.

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