Socio-economic determinants of adolescent use of performance enhancing drugs: Evidence from the YRBSS

Evidence indicates that adolescents (athletes and non-athletes use performance enhancing drugs. We posit that adolescent athletes have different socio-economic incentives to use steroids than non-athletes. We examine adolescent steroid use using data from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System. Multi-sport upperclassmen and black males have a higher probability of steroid use. Steroid use is associated with motivations to change physical appearance and experimentation with illicit substances. These results suggest there are different socio-economic motivations for adolescent steroid use and that steroid use is an important component of overall adolescent drug use.

Research highlights► We posit that adolescents athletes have different socio-economic incentives to use steroids. ► We test our hypothesis using data from the YRBSS. ► Multi-sport upperclassmen and black males have a higher probability of steroid use. ► Steroid use is associated with motives to change physical appearance and experimentation. ► These results suggest there are different socio-economic motivations for adolescent steroid use.