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.

Details

Title
Lived experiences of closeness to a person using Anabolic androgenic steroids a next of kin perspective
Author
Börjesson, Annica 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ekebergh, Margaretha 2 ; Dahl, Marja-Liisa 3 ; Ekström, Lena 3 ; Lehtihet, Mikael 4 ; Vicente, Veronica 5 

1  Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden 
2  Faculty of Caring Science, Worklife and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden 
3  Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden 
4  Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden 
5  The ambulance medical service in Stockholm (AISAB), Academic EMS Stockholm and Department of Clinical Science and Education, Södersjukhuset Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden 
Publication year
2024
Publication date
Dec 2024
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
ISSN
17482623
e-ISSN
17482631
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2023.2292826
ProQuest document ID
3132746172
Copyright
© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.