A qualitative exploration of the motivations underlying anabolic-androgenic steroid use from adolescence into adulthood

<p> backgroundThis  study  explored  the  direct  experience  of  anabolic  an-drogenic steroid (AAS) use by young men, with an empha-sis on how motivations progressed from adolescent initia-tion to more entrenched usage. participants and procedureNine semi-structured interviews were conducted with in-dividuals ranging in experience of AAS use, from novice to experienced users.resultsThe results indicated that the young adult men progressed through a clear transition whereby their motives for using these substances changed from a mere desire to compete with other men to more internalised body image problems. conclusionsThe  findings  presented  suggest  a  more  complex  relation-ship  between  AAS  use  and  body  image  pathology  than  previously suggested. </p>