The Use of Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs During the Covid-19 Lockdown: a Cross-Cultural Study on Potential Users and Associated Risks

Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health Pub Date : 2024-12-01 DOI:10.1016/j.etdah.2023.100083

I. De Luca, F. Di Carlo, J. Burkauskas, A.R. Dores, M.A. Gómez-Martínez, A. Szabo, H. Fujiwara, C. Monteiro, M. Di Nicola, M. Mazza, G. Sani, D. Luciani, M. Pettorruso, M. di Giannantonio, I. Cataldo, G. Esposito, G. Martinotti, O. Corazza

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs), or lifestyle drugs, are a wide range of products presented as having the potential to improve mental and physical function and health. Little is known about IPEDs consumption during the COVID-19 lockdown. The present study aimed to profile IPEDs during this period characterised by physical distancing, isolation, gym closures, and other altered lifestyle habits.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study investigating the type of IPEDs consumed and purchasing methods was disseminated via a web-based questionnaire in eight countries (United Kingdom, Italy, Lithuania, Hungary, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, and Japan) between April and May 2020. This included the Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI), the Appearance Anxiety Inventory (AAI), and the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS).

Results

A total of 736 IPEDs users were included in the survey. The mean age of the sample was 33.05 years (SD =10.06), with females rate of 64.2%. Among IPEDs users, 6.8% were at risk of exercise addiction (EAI >24), 27.6% presented high levels of appearance anxiety and 24.9% revealed low levels of self-compassion and emotional self-regulation. Most participants (55.6%) purchased IPEDs through pharmacies/specialised shops, while 41.3% purchased IPEDs on the Internet. Online shoppers of IPEDs were mainly men who reported higher scores on the Exercise Addiction Inventory. One or more IPEDs classifiable as “potentially at-risk” were used by 66.3% of the sample. Users of “potentially at-risk IPEDs” were younger and mostly males. They showed higher scores both at Exercise Addiction Inventory and Appearance Anxiety Inventory.

Conclusions

This study profiled users of IPEDs during the peak of lockdown policies due to the COVID-19 breakdown. Both purchasing methods and types of IPEDs consumed were associated with distinct socio-demographic aspects and psychopathological traits. Some relevant cross-cultural differences were highlighted. Longitudinal studies will be needed to determine the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on IPEDs consumption.

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在Covid-19封锁期间使用图像和性能增强药物：对潜在用户和相关风险的跨文化研究

形象和表现增强药物（IPEDs），或生活方式药物，是一系列具有改善身心功能和健康潜力的产品。在COVID-19封锁期间，人们对iped的消耗知之甚少。本研究旨在分析这一时期的iped，其特征是身体距离、隔离、健身房关闭和其他生活习惯的改变。方法2020年4月至5月，在英国、意大利、立陶宛、匈牙利、葡萄牙、西班牙、巴西和日本等8个国家进行了一项横断面观察性研究，调查了iped的消费类型和购买方式。这包括运动成瘾量表（EAI）、外表焦虑量表（AAI）和自我同情量表（SCS）。结果共有736名iped使用者参与调查。样本平均年龄33.05岁（SD =10.06），其中女性占64.2%。在iped使用者中，6.8%的人有运动成瘾的风险（EAI >24）， 27.6%的人表现出高度的外表焦虑，24.9%的人表现出低水平的自我同情和情绪自我调节。大多数受访者（55.6%）透过药房/专营店购买iped， 41.3%则透过互联网购买iped。iped的网上购物者主要是男性，他们在运动成瘾量表上的得分更高。66.3%的样本使用了一个或多个可归类为“潜在风险”的iped。“潜在风险宫内节育器”的使用者更年轻，而且大多是男性。他们在运动成瘾量表和外表焦虑量表上的得分都更高。本研究对COVID-19崩溃导致的封锁政策高峰期间iped的用户进行了分析。iped的购买方式和消费类型都与不同的社会人口统计学方面和精神病理特征有关。强调了一些相关的跨文化差异。需要进行纵向研究，以确定COVID-19封锁对iped消费的影响。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Emerging trends in drugs, addictions, and health Pharmacology, Psychiatry and Mental Health, Forensic Medicine, Drug Discovery, Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics (General)

CiteScore

2.40

自引率

0.00%

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