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The current study examines people's perceptions of a male anabolic steroid (AS) user. Differences in perceptions on the Steroid Perception Questionnaire (SPQ; Schwerin & Corcoran, 1992) were measured. Subjects (N = 399) received 1 of 5 slide presentations: an athletically active individual, a drug-free, an AS-using, a cocaine-using, and a cheating bodybuilder. Results show the AS-using protagonist significantly different (more negatively rated) than his drug-free counterparts and similar to the cocaine-using bodybuilder (p < .05). Differences among presentation protagonists on SPQ dimensions and comparisons to the Schwerin and Corcoran (1992) written-mode findings are examined further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines social physique anxiety, upper body esteem, social anxiety, and body dissatisfaction as possible predictors of anabolic steroid (AS) use. Polychotomous logistic regression technique; Variables associated with AS use; Importance of psychosocial factors in understanding AS use.

Anabolic steroids are an attractive and apparently effective class of drugs which builds muscle mass, strength, aggressiveness, and confidence. Given cultural norms for male physical attractiveness, psychosocial effects have been deemed important in understanding steroid use. As a result, the present study focused on the perceptions that others have of anabolic steroid users. A written description was given to subjects to read. After reading the person description, subjects rated the story protagonist on an 18-item questionnaire. Differences among person descriptions on each item were examined. Analyses indicate that: a) subjects view the bodybuilding steroid-user significantly more negatively than the diet conscious bodybuilder or an athletically active individual, and b) subjects view a cocaine-using bodybuilder and a steroid-using bodybuilder similarly. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]