Mediating mechanisms in a program to reduce intentions to use anabolic steroids and improve exercise self-efficacy and dietary behavior.
This study investigated the mediating mechanisms responsible for the effects of a program designed to reduce intentions to use anabolic steroids, improve nutrition, and increase strength training self-efficacy. Fifteen of 31 high school football teams (N = 1,506 players at baseline) in Oregon and Washington were assigned to receive the intervention. The multicomponent program addressed the social influences promoting ergogenic drug use and engaging students in healthy nutrition and strength training alternative behaviors. Although the results differed across the three dependent variables, the program appeared to work by changing team norms. Unlike prevention of other drugs, changes in knowledge and perceived severity were mediators of program effects in this study.
MacKinnon
D P
DP
Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Box 871104, Tempe, Arizona 85287-1104, USA. davidpm@asu.edu
Goldberg
L
L
Clarke
G N
GN
Elliot
D L
DL
Cheong
J
J
Lapin
A
A
Moe
E L
EL
Krull
J L
JL
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D045930:Anabolic Agents; D053198:Child Nutrition Sciences / Q000193:education; D005538:Football / Q000523:psychology*; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016730:Program Development; D012574:Schools; D020377:Self Efficacy; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*
D045930:Anabolic Agents