Keywords
AAS dependence
muscle dysmorphia
body image
emotion dysregulation
sport psychology
psychological predictors
behavioral addiction
How to Cite
Abstract
Background
The use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is increasingly recognized not only as a medical or sports-related issue but also as a specific form of behavioral dependence closely associated with individual psychological characteristics. Despite the growing number of studies examining the prevalence of AAS use, the psychological mechanisms underlying the development of AAS dependence have not yet been integrated into a comprehensive theoretical framework. Particular attention should be paid to the relationships among muscle dysmorphia, body dissatisfaction, emotion dysregulation, and the risk of developing psychological dependence on anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Objective
To investigate the psychological mechanisms underlying anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence by examining the relationships among muscle dysmorphia, body image, emotion dysregulation, and the severity of dependence symptoms, as well as to develop an integrative model of the psychological predictors of AAS use.
Methods
The study is planned to involve strength athletes and recreational fitness participants. Psychological characteristics will be assessed using standardized psychometric instruments, including the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI), Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Statistical analyses will include descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, mediation analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) to test the proposed conceptual model.
Results
The study is expected to identify statistically significant relationships among symptoms of muscle dysmorphia, negative body image, emotion regulation difficulties, and the severity of psychological dependence on anabolic-androgenic steroids. Emotion dysregulation is hypothesized to mediate the relationship between body dissatisfaction and AAS dependence, whereas muscle dysmorphia is expected to emerge as one of the strongest psychological predictors of AAS use. The proposed model is anticipated to explain the psychological mechanisms underlying the transition from the pursuit of physical appearance enhancement to the development of dependence-related behavior.
Scientific Novelty
The scientific novelty of the study lies in the development of an integrative psychological model of anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence that combines cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors into a unified system of psychological predictors. Unlike most previous studies, which have primarily viewed AAS dependence as an isolated consequence of pharmacological substance use, the proposed approach conceptualizes dependence as the outcome of interacting psychological mechanisms related to self-perception, emotion regulation, and body image.
Practical Implications
The findings may contribute to the early identification of individuals at high risk of developing anabolic-androgenic steroid dependence, improve psychological prevention programs in sports settings, facilitate the development of psychotherapeutic interventions targeting body image disturbances and emotion regulation deficits, and support the implementation of interdisciplinary psychological care programs for athletes.
Conclusions
Psychological dependence on anabolic-androgenic steroids appears to develop through the interaction of multiple psychological factors, among which muscle dysmorphia, negative body image, and emotion dysregulation play central roles. An integrative approach to investigating these factors provides a theoretical foundation for developing effective prevention strategies, psychological interventions, and psychotherapeutic support programs for individuals who use anabolic-androgenic steroids.
Keywords: anabolic-androgenic steroids; AAS dependence; muscle dysmorphia; body image; emotion dysregulation; sport psychology; psychological predictors; behavioral addiction.
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