An Examination Of Implicit And Explicit Attitudes Toward Steroids/Hgh In A Sample Of College Athletes And Nonathletes

Abstract

Recently, media has placed more attention on the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids
(AAS) and human growth hormone (HGH) due to confessions and positive drug tests by
professional athletes concerning their use. The idolization of these athletes by younger
individuals, especially athletes, incites concern about their attitudes toward such substances.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes toward AAS and HGH in
athletes and nonathletes. One hundred forty three male and female intercollegiate athletes (N =
83) and undergraduate and graduate Kinesiology and Sports Studies majors (N=60) at a Division
I Midwestern University volunteered for the study. Literature in this area supports the assertion
that alternatives to explicit measures (surveys, interviews) be employed when investigating
socially sensitive issues. Therefore, implicit attitudes were assessed using the Implicit
Associations Test protocol with "Legal Supplements" and "Illegal Banned Substances" serving
as categories. Explicit attitudes were assessed using the Performance Enhancement Attitude
Scale. However, for this study, the word "doping" was substituted with words such as "steroids".
The implicit and explicit attitudes toward AAS and HGH in males, females, athletes, and
nonathletes were all generally negative. No significant correlation was found between implicit
and explicit attitudes. Moreover, perceptions of estimated use of AAS and HGH increased at
each successive level of sport (prior to high school, high school, collegiate, professional)
indicating a professionalization of performance enhancing substance use. Regarding the purpose
of the study, it was determined that increasing attention garnered by these substances is
unfounded as most individuals hold negative views toward them. Furthermore, although more
research is necessary, this study supports the use of alternative (implicit) measures in assessing
the attitudes toward AAS, HGH, and illegal substances in sport.

Date of Award	2011
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	Eastern Illinois University
Supervisor	Brent Walker (Supervisor)