Modifiable Determinants of Psychological Harms among Male Image and Performance Enhancing Drug Consumers

2026/05/23 by Etienne Grobler, Cheneal Puljević, Benjamin Bonenti +4 · 1 voice
Business, Management and Accounting · Psychology · #Consumer Perception and Purchasing Behavior #Death Anxiety and Social Exclusion #Evolutionary Psychology and Human Behavior

paper · doi:10.1080/10826084.2026.2675983

openalex publication_date 2026/05/23 · openalex created_date 2026/05/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/24

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) are linked to undesirable psychological effects (e.g., depression), influenced by various factors. This study examined associations between non-modifiable (e.g. age) and modifiable (e.g. prescription status, dosage regimen, polypharmacy load) factors and psychological effects among male IPED consumers. METHODS: Data from 785 males (median age = 30) reporting past-year IPED consumption in the 2024 Global Drug Survey were analyzed. Chi-squared tests assessed associations between modifiable and non-modifiable factors with psychological effects, followed by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: = 0.001). Prescription status showed no significant association with psychological effects. CONCLUSION: Psychological effects reflect age, dosing, and polypharmacy patterns, highlighting the need for tailored harm reduction.

Citations

• The global epidemiology of anabolic-androgenic steroid use: a meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis
• If you find me on the floor, stick some sugar in my mouth : The social production (and protection) of insulin risk among IPED communities
• Looking for the Best Way to Come Off Steroids Safely? Exploring Post‐Cycle Therapy, Cessation, and Recovery Discourse and Practice in Australian Steroid Consumer Forums
• Agreement between self‐reported illicit drug use and biological samples: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
• Anything but androgens: How image and performance enhancing drug consumers manage body composition and health through off-label use of medicines

Discussions

• New #GDS paper out led by Etienne Grobler. psychological effects in IPED consumers are driven by how drugs are used, not just use itself. @tandfresearch.bsky.social @jasonferris22.bsky.social @moni [bsky, 2 points, 1 comments]

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