Graduate Program
Kinesiology and Sports Studies
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
Brent Walker
Thesis Committee Member
Jon Oliver
Thesis Committee Member
Jill Owen
Abstract
Recently, media has placed more attention on the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) and human growth hormone (HGH) due to confessions and positive drug tests by professional athletes concerning their use. The idolization of these athletes by younger individuals, especially athletes, incites concern about their attitudes toward such substances. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the attitudes toward AAS and HGH in athletes and nonathletes. One hundred forty three male and female intercollegiate athletes (N = 83) and undergraduate and graduate Kinesiology and Sports Studies majors (N=60) at a Division I Midwestern University volunteered for the study. Literature in this area supports the assertion that alternatives to explicit measures (surveys, interviews) be employed when investigating socially sensitive issues. Therefore, implicit attitudes were assessed using the Implicit Associations Test protocol with "Legal Supplements" and "Illegal Banned Substances" serving as categories. Explicit attitudes were assessed using the Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale. However, for this study, the word "doping" was substituted with words such as "steroids". The implicit and explicit attitudes toward AAS and HGH in males, females, athletes, and nonathletes were all generally negative. No significant correlation was found between implicit and explicit attitudes. Moreover, perceptions of estimated use of AAS and HGH increased at each successive level of sport (prior to high school, high school, collegiate, professional) indicating a professionalization of performance enhancing substance use. Regarding the purpose of the study, it was determined that increasing attention garnered by these substances is unfounded as most individuals hold negative views toward them. Furthermore, although more research is necessary, this study supports the use of alternative (implicit) measures in assessing the attitudes toward AAS, HGH, and illegal substances in sport.
Recommended Citation
Morais, Dominic Gray, "An Examination Of Implicit And Explicit Attitudes Toward Steroids/Hgh In A Sample Of College Athletes And Nonathletes" (2011). Masters Theses. 485.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/485
