Cognitive Factors and Doping Intentions in Elite Youth Athletes’ Coaches, Parents, and Peers

Abstract

Doping is a major problem in elite sports, resulting in poor publicity and severe health consequences, particularly for youth athletes. To overcome shortcomings of previous research (athletes- and education-focused), this study investigates the associations of doping attitudes, moral disengagement, perceived behaviour control, and anticipated guilt with doping intentions in elite youth athletes’ coaches, parents, and peers, plus group differences. Data of 180 elite youth athletes’ entourages were elevated using an online questionnaire. Hierarchical regression analyses were executed to predict doping intentions. Anticipated guilt and moral disengagement were identified as the strongest predictors. Group differences were detected with peers exhibiting the highest doping intentions. Findings recommend focussing elite youth athletes’ entourages doping prevention at decreasing moral disengagement and increasing anticipated guilt, plus adapting strategies for each entourage group.