Comparison of Personality Dark Trait and Behavioral Activation /Inhibition System in Bodybuilders with and without the Use of Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids

Over the past decade, the use of steroid medications has increased among athletes, especially bodybuilders who work professionally. Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare the dark trait personality and behavioral activation-inhibition system in bodybuilders with and without the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids. The present study was descriptive and casual-comparative. The statistical population of the study consisted of all male bodybuilders of Rasht in 2019. A sample of 150 (75 natural bodybuilders and 75 steroid bodybuilders) was selected purposefully, and then data were collected using Jonson & Webster (2010) personality dark trait questionnaire and Carver & White (1994) behavioral activation-inhibition system.  Data were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. The results showed that there is a significant difference in the dark trait of personality and behavioral activation-inhibition system bodybuilders' with and without the use of anabolic-androgenic steroids. Based on this, it was found that steroid bodybuilders have a lower system of inhibition and a more active behavioral system than natural bodybuilders. Also, in the components of dark character traits, steroid bodybuilders showed more Narcissism, Machiavellianism and Psychopathy. According to the results, it is possible to control the activation/inhibition system and reduce the dark trait of personality in steroid bodybuilders by implementing programs and interventions.