High-School Athletes’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions on Doping: The Cyprus Sport-School Study

Abstract

Doping constitutes one of the main problems in sports. The importance of sociological research on doping is widely accepted. However, such studies in Cyprus are scarce. The purpose of this study was twofold; first, it aimed to examine the knowledge about doping and the attitudes and perceptions towards sports and doping of high-school student athletes in Cyprus; and second, it aimed to explore whether the knowledge about doping and attitudes and perceptions towards sports and doping vary among student athletes with different characteristics (gender, nationality, engagement with team vs. individual sport, and grade level). The participants of this study were 164 high-school student athletes (16.6 ± 0.9 years old) who study in sports high schools in Cyprus, out of whom 106 were males (65.6%) and 57 (34.8%) females. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire that was anonymously completed by the participants. A quantitative approach was used for analyzing the data. Descriptive statistics were calculated (i.e., mean, SD, and total scores for knowledge), and non-parametric tests (Mann–Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis) were employed, for comparing responses among different athlete groups on their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of doping. The findings reveal that most of the participants lack basic knowledge on doping issues. In terms of their attitudes and perceptions, most of the participants considered doping a serious problem in sports while demonstrating mostly negative attitudes towards doping. Statistically significant differences were found to exist in terms of knowledge among students of different nationalities and high-school grade levels. Also, statistically significant differences were found to exist in terms of attitudes and perceptions towards sports and doping among students of different genders and sport categories (individual vs. team), while differences were also found to exist among students of different nationalities in relation to their attitudes towards sports. The findings have implications for policymaking and educational practices, with the most prevalent need being to design and implement training programs to raise awareness among young athletes about critical features of doping and sports.

Dispositional Goal Orientation and Perceptions of Coach Motivational Climate on Attitudes towards Doping among Kenyan Endurance Runners

“…This finding aligns with previous research in Africa where gender did not significantly influence athletes' attitudes towards doping (Mwangi et al, 2019;Muwonge et al, 2015;Rintaugu & Mwangi, 2020). However, it contrasts with research outside Africa, which has often shown male athletes to have more permissive attitudes towards doping than female athletes (Overbye et al, 2013;Tsivitanidou et al, 2023;Zaletel et al, 2015). In terms of age, the findings contradicts some earlier research suggesting that younger athletes may be more prone to pro-doping attitudes than older athletes (Boit et al, 2012;Mwangi et al, 2019;Rintaugu & Mwangi, 2020).…”

“…In terms of demographic factors, research has found male athletes have been reported to have positive doping attitudes, whereas female athletes view it negatively, citing reasons such as the belief that doping is wrong, fear of being banned from sport, concerns about fertility issues, and potential media exposure (Overbye et al, 2013; Tsivitanidou et al, 2023; Zaletel et al, 2015). Male athletes may be motivated by the desire for increased muscle mass and long-term financial stability (Overbye et al, 2013).…”

Paralympic athletes’ perspective of doping self-regulatory efficacy in Nigeria

“…Compliance is common among amateur and intermediate athletic levels of competing (Kabiri et al, 2022;Pavlovic et al, 2015). Tsivitanidou et al (2023) posited that young athletes' knowledge about the problem of doping and its negative consequences were not considered sufficient making the not possess efficacy in making decision regarding doping. However, elite able-bodied and para-athletes have been sanctioned and at other times banned from the sport at the highest levels of competition (IAAF, Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships) (Shaw, 2019;Westmattelmann et al, 2018).…”