Perfectionism and attitudes towards doping in junior athletes |
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Authors: | Daniel J Madigan Joachim Stoeber Louis Passfield |
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Institution: | 1. School of Sport &2. Exercise Sciences, University of Kent, Chatham Maritime, Kent ME4 4AG, UK;3. School of Psychology, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NP, UK |
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Abstract: | Recent theory and research suggest that perfectionism is a personal factor contributing to athletes’ vulnerability to doping (using banned substances/drugs to enhance sporting performance). So far, however, no study has examined what aspects of perfectionism suggest a vulnerability in junior athletes. Employing a cross-sectional design, this study examined perfectionism and attitudes towards doping in 129 male junior athletes (mean age 17.3 years) differentiating four aspects of perfectionism: perfectionistic strivings, perfectionistic concerns, parental pressure to be perfect, and coach pressure to be perfect. In the bivariate correlations, only parental pressure showed a positive relationship with positive doping attitudes. In a multiple regression analysis controlling for the overlap between the four aspects, perfectionistic strivings additionally showed a negative relationship. Moreover, a structural equation model examining the relationships between all variables suggested that coach pressure had a negative indirect effect on attitudes towards doping via perfectionistic strivings. The findings indicate that perceived parental pressure to be perfect may be a factor contributing to junior athletes’ vulnerability to doping, whereas perfectionistic strivings may be a protective factor. |
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Keywords: | Perfectionism attitudes towards doping sport junior athletes performance-enhancing substances performance-enhancing drugs |
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