Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS) are drugs that increase testosterone levels in users, causing muscle growth. These steroids have become prevalent since the early 2000’s when the Balco investigation started in the MLB with regards to Barry Bonds using steroids. Since then, many notable athletes at the top of their respective sports have tested positive for and been caught using steroids. These steroids allow quick recovery from workouts and games while increasing the muscle growth at the same time. This gives them a significant advantage over their opponents. There are, however, many negative side effects associated with steroids, one notable one being called “roid rage.” Steroids promote aggressive outbursts and tendencies in users.
A study was conducted in Norway on high school students and their aggression tendencies and body image concerns. Out of the 396 male students that were surveyed, 4.0% of the students used and 5.1% were contemplating use. Between those two subgroups there was no difference in the aggression levels and body image concerns, but compared to everyone else there was a significant difference. This study showed that body image concerns is a risk factor on whether they will use steroids. It also showed that once the steroids are being taken, the body image concerns remain and don’t go away. An aggressive personality profile is also a risk factor for steroid use.
The impact body image concerns has on the students risk for use is what I would expect to find from this study. People taking steroids for non-athletic reasons are clearly concerned with their image. It’s not surprising that the concerns don’t go away while using and probably contribute to why people keep using them. I found it interesting that an aggressive personality is a risk factor for steroid use. We have a common perception that aggression is all from the steroids and “roid rage,” but in reality it is more of a personality issue as opposed to the steroids.
Reference:
Aggression and body image concerns among anabolic androgenic steroid users, contemplators, and controls in Norway.
Body Image. 2014 Sep 24;12C:6-13. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2014.08.009. [Epub ahead of print]
Jenssen IH1, Johannessen KB2.