Heterosexual women rate perceived anabolic steroid-using men as less attractive for long-term romantic relationships. (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Joensen, Gunnleyg; Lorentsen, Elise; Sagstad, Karen Marie; Raes, Emilie; Chegeni, Razieh; Sagoe, Dominic
• Is Part Of: Journal of substance use. Volume 26:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 36
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Anabolic-androgenic steroids -- attractiveness -- mate preference -- romantic relationship -- sexual relationship; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Medication abuse -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1766128
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1465-9891

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Physical attractiveness is a major motive for anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) use. Since majority of AAS users are men, we investigated heterosexual women's ratings of the physical, sexual and romantic attractiveness of AAS-using and non-using men. Methods: A sample of 112 AAS-non-using heterosexual women (age range: 15–81, M = 29.61 years) was randomized to two independent conditions: food ( n = 50) and AAS ( n = 62). After exposure to a vignette (varied in AAS use or food consumption) and the target image of a moderately muscular man (same across conditions), participants in both conditions rated their respective target on physical, short-term sexual, and long-term romantic attractiveness. We compared ratings of the two targets using an independent t -test. Results: Compared to the non-using target, the AAS-using target received lower ratings ( t = −2.61, p < .05, Cohen's d = 0.50) on long-term romantic attractiveness. Conclusion: Heterosexual women rate perceived AAS-using men as less attractive for long-term romantic relationships. Preventive and harm reduction interventions may benefit from highlighting this finding.