title: Aggression and body image concerns among anabolic androgenic steroid users, contemplators, and controls in Norway.
abstract: AAS users and contemplators were investigated for differences in aggression and body image concern. Prevalence rates were sought as a secondary aim. 396 male adolescents at Norwegian high schools completed a questionnaire battery during school hours. Prevalence of AAS use showed 4.0%; AAS contemplation showed 5.1%. No significant differences between the AAS users and contemplators were found on levels of aggression and body image concern. AAS users and contemplators reported significantly higher levels of aggression and body image concern compared nonusing controls. AAS contemplators enhance understanding of AAS use by representing psychosocial factors contributing to increased aggression, and AAS use or risk thereof indicative of an aggressive personality profile. Body image concerns for AAS users and contemplators may indicate that AAS use does not diminish body image concern, and that body image concern is a risk factor for AAS use. This is supportive of previous research.
authors.affiliation: Østfold Hospital, Addiction Services, Department of Diagnosis and Treatment, Moss, Norway. Electronic address: idnjen@so-hf.no.
authors.forename: Ida Heimly
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Jenssen
authors.affiliation: Center on Autobiographical Memory Research, Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark.
authors.forename: Kim Berg
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Johannessen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D045930:Anabolic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D004300:Doping in Sports / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D012307:Risk Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D045930:Anabolic Agents
keywords: AAS; Adolescents; Aggression; Anabolic androgenic steroids; Body image