Aggression Is Associated With Increased Anabolic–Androgenic Steroid Use Contemplation Among Adolescents. (18th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sagoe, Dominic; Mentzoni, Rune A.; Hanss, Daniel; Pallesen, Ståle
• Is Part Of: Substance use & misuse. Volume 51:Number 11(2016)
• Page Start: 1462
• Page End: 1469
• Publication Date: 2016-09-18
• Subjects: Adolescents -- aggression -- anabolic-androgenic steroids -- contemplation -- intention; Narcotic habit -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Behavior, Addictive -- Periodicals; Sustance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1186696
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1082-6084

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 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.