Sexual Orientation and Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids in US Adolescent Boys
Year: 2014
Type: article
Abstract: OBJECTIVES: We compared the lifetime prevalence of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) misuse among sexual minority versus heterosexual U.S. adolescent boys, and secondarily, sought to explore possible intermediate variables that may explain prevalence differences. METHODS: Participants were 17,250 adolescent boys taken from a pooled data set of the 14 jurisdictions from the 2005 and 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys that assessed sexual orientation. Data were analyzed for overall prevalence of AAS misuse and possible intermediary risk factors. RESULTS: Sexual minority adolescent boys were at an increased odds of 5.8 (95% confidence interval 4.1-8.2) to report a lifetime prevalence of AAS (21% vs. 4%) compared with their heterosexual counterparts, P < .001. Exploratory analyses suggested that increased depressive symptoms/suicidality, victimization, and substance use contributed to this disparity. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first known study to test and find substantial health disparities in the prevalence of AAS misuse as a function of sexual orientation. Prevention and intervention efforts are needed for sexual minority adolescent boys.
Source: PEDIATRICS
Authors: Aaron J. Blashill, Steven A. Safren
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Department of Health, Vermont, Rhode Island Department of Health, National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
OpenAlex ID: W2107188863