Table 2 Descriptive statistics of latent variables
Construct | Item(s) | Response scale (range) |
|---|---|---|
Doping susceptibility | Which of the following most applies to you? (1) Never considered using a banned PES (2) At one stage thought briefly about using a banned PES (3) At one stage thought quite a bit about using a banned PES (4) Still think occasionally about using a banned PES because other athletes are using them (5) Briefly used a banned PES in the past but no longer do so (6) Occasionally use a banned PES now for specific purposes (7) Regularly try or use banned PES | 1 = never to 7 = regular Doping susceptibility = 17.1% 74 participants answered yes to items 4 to 7 |
Legitimacy perceptions | How fair is the Saudi Anti-Doping Committee in terms of treating all athletes equally? | 1 = Very fair to 5 = I do not know (287 participants answered fair = 70%) |
How secure is the Saudi Anti-Doping Committee’s drug-testing procedures? That is, in taking samples and the care of samples? | 1 = Very secured to 5 = I do not know (296 participants answered secure = 72.5%) | |
How satisfied are you that athletes in your sport who test positive will be given a fair hearing before a decision is made about applying a penalty? | 1 = Very satisfied to 5 = I do not know (275 of the participants are satisfied = 67.5%) | |
To what extent do you think that athletes who have been given Therapeutic Use Exemptions have been thoroughly evaluated and that their exemptions are justified? | 1 = not justified to 5 = I do not know (100 participants answered not justified = 24.5%) | |
Morality and cheating measures | Which of the following statements best describes your own personal feelings about deliberately using banned PES? 1- I believe deliberately using banned PES to improve performance is morally wrong under any circumstances 2- I believe deliberately using banned PES to improve performance is morally OK under some circumstances, but wrong under others 3- I believe deliberately using banned PES to improve performance is morally OK under any circumstances | 1 = 318 (77.9%) 2 = 75 (18.4%) 3 = 15 (3.6%) |
4- If you were caught, using banned performance-enhancing substances or methods, to what extent would you experience the following feelings? Shame/Embarrassment/Guilt. | 1 = Not at all to 5 = great extent 304 (74.5%) would feel ashamed, 328 (80%) would feel embarrassed, 333 (81%) would feel guilty to a great extent. | |
Beliefs about the benefits of doping | How much would you personally like these outcomes for performing well in your sport? 1- National celebrity status 2- Lucrative financial sponsorship deals 3- Personal best achievements 4- Opportunities for remaining in the sport as coach, trainer, or administrator 5- Future financial security 6- International celebrity status | For each statement: 1 = a lot to 3 = not at all 1 = 342 (82%) like it a lot 2 = 308 (76%) like it a lot 3 = 343 (84%) like it a lot 4 = 24 9 (61%) like it a lot 5 = 338 (83.9%) like it a lot 6 = 316 (77.5%) like it a lot |
Threat or deterrence appraisal | How likely it is that athletes at your level would be drug tested at least once a year? | 1 = very likely to 5 = I do not know 265 (65%) answered likely |
If you were to take banned performance-enhancing substances how likely do you think that you could get away with it if you really tried to? | 1 = very likely to 5 = I do not know 180 (44%) answered likely | |
Are the penalties for a positive drug test in your sport severe or lenient? | 1 = very severe to 5 = I do not know 313 (76.7%) answered severe | |
Beliefs about the reference group’s endorsement of doping | If you were given the opportunity to use a banned performance-enhancing substance, to what extent do you think each of the following people would approve or disapprove? Coach/parents/team mate//team doctor. | 1 = Would definitely approve to 5 = Definitely disapprove 335 (82%) of participants think that the coach will disapprove 349 (85%) of parents would disapprove 269 (66%) of team mates would disapprove 346 (84%) of team doctors would disapprove |
Authorities’ control of doping | How serious do you feel the following authorities are in preventing trafficking of banned performance-enhancing substances (police and customs) | 1 = not at all to 5 = very serious 303 (74%) feel that police are serious 312 (76%) feel that customs are serious |
Beliefs about other athletes’ attitudes toward doping | Out of 100%, how many athletes in football do you believe engage in doping to enhance their performance? | 1 = 0–25% 2 = 26–50%, 3 = > 50% 1 = 211 (52%), 2 = 140 (34%), 3 = 57 (14%) |