Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine whether subgroups of disability-sport athletes exist on morality- and norm-based doping cognitions and whether these groups differ in anticipated guilt or doping intentions. A survey was completed by 186 athletes (Mage = 37.5 years, 78.0% male, 45.1% wheelchair basketball) assessing norms, doping moral disengagement, anticipated guilt, and intentions to dope. Cluster analysis revealed four distinct subgroups of athletes, including one potentially high-risk subgroup characterized by relatively high scores on doping moral disengagement, subjective norms, and descriptive norms. One-way analysis of variance revealed significantly lower anticipated guilt in two athlete subgroups characterized by relatively higher doping moral disengagement than the other two subgroups. Moreover, the potentially high-risk group had a greater proportion of athletes showing some presence of intention to dope. This study suggests there is a small subgroup of disability-sport athletes at elevated risk of doping who might benefit from targeted antidoping interventions.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly |
Early online date | 4 Oct 2023 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 4 Oct 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Acknowledgments:This research was completed in partial fulfillment of Tyler S. Harris’s doctoral dissertation requirements at Michigan State University under the direction of Alan L. Smith. This research was supported by a Michigan State University College of Education Summer Research Fellowship and a Michigan State University Graduate School Research Enhancement Award.
Keywords
- moral disengagement
- performance-enhancing drugs
- parasport
- social cognitive theory