Violent Victimization as a Risk Factor for Steroid Use among a National Sample of U.S. Adolescents

Abstract Objective: We sought to examine if a relationship existed between adolescents' experiences with violent victimization and steroid use. Methods: Data from the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analyzed for male (N = 8,537) and female (N = 7,816) adolescents. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to determine the associations between steroid use and victimization, inclusive of bullying, fighting, being threatened, and sexual assault. Results: 4.3% of males and 2.2% of females reported using steroids at least once during their lifetime. Among males, steroid use was associated with being bullied (Adj. OR = 1.7; 95% CI:1.1-2.6), threatened at school (Adj. OR = 4.5; 95% CI:2.9-7.2) or injured in a fight (Adj. OR = 5.8; 95% CI:4.0-8.6). Similarly, among females, steroid use was associated with having been threatened at school (Adj. OR=2.9; 95% CI:1.6-5.4), injured in a fight (Adj. OR =4.7; 95% CI:2.5-8.8) or having experienced forcible rape (Adj. OR = 2.6; 95% CI:1.5-4.7). Conclusions: Victimization is an important risk factor for steroid use among adolescents. Awareness may be important for health professionals who counsel adolescent victims of interpersonal violence.