title: Beliefs about steroids: user vs. non-user comparisons.
abstract: The differences in beliefs about the effects of anabolic steroid (AS) use between AS users and non-users provides potentially important clues to understanding AS use. Two groups of bodybuilders were used in this comparison: AS users (n = 20) and non-users (n = 27). Subjects completed a 40-item scale measuring their beliefs about the effects of steroids, both physical and psychological (Beliefs About Steroids Scale: BASS). MANOVA comparisons between AS users and non-users on the BASS items indicate that AS-using bodybuilders believe that AS enhance their physical strength, athletic ability, confidence, assertiveness, feelings of sexuality, and feelings of optimism.
authors.affiliation: Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA 92186-5122, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Schwerin
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Corcoran
mesh_terms: D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D010809:Physical Fitness; D012917:Social Adjustment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D014891:Weight Lifting
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents