In force
Social Psychology within the anti-doping area: Baseline statistics and profiles of athlete’s attitude and knowledge
Project description
Summary
One of two athletes believes that the incidence of doping in sport is an increasing problem and that drug abuse in society has an impact on doping in sport. At the same time, approximately half express that attitudes in relation to doping can be influenced. This emphasises the necessity that the phenomenon doping should be both analysed and understood in relation to a sociological and social context. An important objective of the project was to recognize if there are any special attitudes and knowledge profiles between the target groups.
Methodology
The questionnaire consists of attitude questions combined with a knowledge questionnaire designed to elucidate actual personal knowledge within the anti-doping area. In addition the questionnaire consists of eleven questions where the respondent has to rank how important the different areas/activities will be for the future fight against doping in sport. Questionnaire consisting of 3 different parts:
• Attitude questions with 27 questions
• Personal knowledge section with 7 questions
• Fight against doping in sport – 11 questions
Results
The majority expresses a clear standpoint/attitude against use of doping in sport. In addition, there is distancing from the use of doping for shorter periods, even if the medical side effects are small. The respondents also express that even though the risk of being discovered is small, they would not use prohibited substances. In addition, the majority of athletes were not willing to use prohibited substances to become a well- known top athlete. In this context it is interesting that the group junior has a less clear anti –doping attitude than the senior group. It also appears that the group juniors has a less restrictive attitude to using doping as a one-off, and as a quick way to becoming well-known top athletes. Even though the results indicate that the athletes have a clear attitude against doping it is both a concern and a challenge that there is still 10 – 15 % of the respondents who are of another opinion.
Significance for Clean Sport
There exist differences between the age groups in many of the areas which are included in the questionnaire. Efforts should therefore be concentrated on increasing course / education offers for athletes, particularly in relation to the group juniors.