Attitudes, intentions and behavior toward doping among athletics in Spain: A combination of quantitative and experimental studies.

Summary:

This study addresses the attitudes and behaviors towards doping in Spanish track and field athletes and coaches. The study aimed to assess the reproducibility of the Sport Drug Control Model (SDCM) in athletes' support personnel and determine the factors that most influence coaches' attitudes and susceptibility towards doping, as well as their doping prevalence.

Methodology

The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, self-reported doping prevalence was measured in athletes using a questionnaire. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to examine Spanish track and field (athletics) athletes in 2020. Participants were 281 Spanish elite and national standard track and field athletes from whom 80.1% were 18-28 years old and 49.5% were females.

In the second phase, the SDCM was adapted and applied to coaches. A cross-sectional online survey was sent to 1,432 coaches, of whom 201 completed it.

Results

Primary outcomes from phase 1 displayed that positives attitudes toward doping predicted high susceptibility to doping, which is in turn associated with the use of prohibited substances and methods. The observed strength of the relationship between attitudes toward doping and doping susceptibility are in agreement with results from other studies (Gucciardi et al., 2010; Barkoukis et al., 2013; Blank et al., 2016; Nicholls et al., 2020).

The factors that were found to have the greatest influence on attitudes toward doping in athletes are morality and reference group opinion. The role played by significant others is a crucial contextual variable in understanding attitudes toward doping in athletes. If athletes’ closest entourage rejects doping, this would be a protective factor to prevent athletes from being tempted to use banned substances or methods.

Descriptive norms were a significant and positive predictor of attitudes toward the use of doping in coaches, which reflects that the perception of high prevalence of doping in others could enhance their attitudes toward doping, as they tend to normalize this behavior. Normative beliefs can be considered determinants of attitudes and behavior toward doping in the sport society, therefore its inclusion in anti-doping educational programs should be addressed.

Overall, adaptation and application of the SDCM in ASP proves its reproducibility in other population. This research shows that moral disengagement, social norms, and motivational profiles are the strongest predictors of attitudes toward doping among coaches.

Potential significance for Clean Sport

The study provides unique and valuable information for application in educational programs in the Spanish anti-doping agency. The researchers recommend enhancing anti-doping intervention programs, which allow athletes to acquire a strong moral stance against doping. They also recommend further research coach-centered to provide more assistance to sport coaches and establish effective and mandatory anti-doping education in them. Overall, the study highlights the importance of addressing attitudes towards doping to prevent doping behavior among athletes and coaches. This study was integrated into CELAD and has potential to directly inform education programs.

Related Publications

Attitudes Toward and Susceptibility to Doping in Spanish Elite and National-Standard Track and Field Athletes: An Examination of the Sport Drug Control Model

Moral Disengagement, Social Norms, and Motivational Profiles Influence Attitudes Toward Doping Among Spanish Athletics Coaches