Can Self-Assertion Be Targeted In Doping Prevention Actions Among Adolescent Athletes? A Randomized Controlled Trial

Authors

Binisinger Caroline, Direction régionale et départementale de la Jeunesse et des Sports
Favre Armelle, Direction régionale et départementale de la Jeunesse et des Sports
Laure Patrick, Direction régionale et départementale de la Jeunesse et des Sports
Mangin Grazia, Laboratoire Lorrain des Sciences Sociales, UFR Sciences humaines et Art, Université Paul Verlaine

Abstract

Objective: to study the feasibility of the development of self-assertion among adolescent athletes in doping prevention campaigns. Design: randomized controlled trial. Methods: Participants: pupils aged 10-16 of school sporting clubs randomized in an experimental (EXP) or a control (CON) group. Interventions: EXP: 2 x 2 hours, at three month intervals (M0 and M+3): law recall, information on self-medication, series of activities that build self-assertion; CON: none. Evaluation: self-questionnaire at M0 and M+3, containing a Rathus Assertiveness Schedule. Main results: At M0, mean Rathus' scores were identical in EXP and CON groups (4.9 – 4.3). They both rose three months later, but the increase was more significant in EXP (6.2) than in CON (4.5) group (p<0.001), especially among pupils aged 10-11 years, in sporting clubs made up of fewer than 20 pupils, and among pupils who practiced more than 10 hours of sports per week. Conclusions: Self-assertion can be improved among early adolescent athletes with a 2 x 2 hours' intervention. This constitutes an interesting “brief intervention” for clubs bound by time constraints.

Keywords

self-assertion, adolescents, doping, prevention, randomized controlled trial

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