Lived experiences of closeness to a person using Anabolic androgenic steroids a next of kin perspective

ABSTRACT

Purpose

Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are used for their aesthetic and performance-enhancing effects and are associated with physical and psychological side effects. Behavioural changes/side effects as mood swings, aggressiveness, depression, potency problems, anxiety, and emotional coldness have been reported by next of kin to people using AAS.

Methods

This phenomenological study is based on the reflective lifeworld research approach. Interviews were conducted with twelve next of kin about their experiences of living close to persons using AAS.

Results

Next of kin to persons using AAS are particularly vulnerable because they experience little opportunity to influence their situation. Their given and safe context is lost, and their lives are circumscribed by feelings of insecurity, fear, powerlessness, and grief. Feelings of loneliness develop when their problems are not noticed by others and support is lacking from family and society.

Conclusions

Our research adds important knowledge on how the use of AAS affects next of kin. Understanding is required to approach the lifeworld of next of kin with flexibility and empathy in their difficulties and vulnerability. Healthcare professionals and other concerned professions need to be aware of next of kin existential needs to be able to meet and support them in their life situation.

KEYWORDS:

• Anabolic androgenic steroids
• AAS
• use
• next of kin
• relative
• phenomenology
• reflective lifeworld research
• caring science perspective

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the Karolinska University Hospital Clinical Pharmacology Department for contributing to the funding of the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was not supported by any funding.

Notes on contributors

Annica Börjesson

Annica Börjesson is a nurse working as a lecturer at Karolinska Institutet, Sweden. She has extensive experience of providing counselling to individuals who use anabolic androgenic steroids for non-medical purposes and has a PhD in the subject.

Margaretha Ekebergh

Margaretha Ekebergh is a Professor of caring science at the Faculty of Caring Science, Worklife and Social Welfare at the University of Borås. She has extensive methodological knowledge of life-world research.

Marja-Liisa Dahl

Marja-Liisa Dahl is a Professor at Karolinska Institutet. She is a specialist in clinical pharmacology and has over 30 years of experience of research. She is also the chief physician for the Anti-Doping Hot-Line.

Lena Ekström

Lena Ekström is a Lecturer and Professor at Karolinska Institutet. She has extensive knowledge and experience of research in the field of anti-doping and specifically anabolic androgenic steroids.

Mikael Lehtihet

Mikael Lehtihet is a physician and Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet. He has many years of clinical experience of the treatment of individuals using anabolic androgenic steroids. He has many years of experience of research in the field of anti-doping.

Veronica Vicente

Veronica Vicente is an Associate Professor at Karolinska Institutet. She is a researcher in emergency medical care and in caring science. She has experience of in-depth interview technique from a life-world perspective.