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Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Coal to swole
T2 - A Survey of Anabolic Steroid Use and Muscularity Concerns in Coalfield Areas of Wales
AU - Saville, Christopher
AU - Cranswick, Ieuan
AU - Tod, David
AU - Acreman, Dean
AU - Hogan, Lee
AU - Rhys Thomas, Daniel
PY - 2025/4/1
Y1 - 2025/4/1
N2 - BackgroundGrowing male anabolic steroid use is often framed as symptomatic of a post-industrial masculinity crisis, but little quantitative evidence exists for this account. We examine whether steroid use is associated with geographic exposure to industrial decline, namely historical coal mining, and whether any association is mediated by masculine norms.MethodsWe fielded a quota-sampled survey of 18–49 year-old men in Wales (N = 1425). Data were geo-linked to the extent of historic coal mining locally to respondents. Generalised linear mixed models were fitted to test our hypotheses.ResultsSteroid use (odds ratio = 1.99, 1.10–3.60), but not body image (B = 1.06, −2.02-4.13), was positively associated with mining extent. However, this was not mediated by conformity to masculine norms.DiscussionWhile use of steroids is more common in former mining areas, this is not due to more prevalent body image issues nor mediated by masculine norms. Thus, accounts of a post-industrial ‘thwarted masculinity’ do not fit the data. Steroid use in post-industrial areas is an issue for public health and these communities may benefit from targeted interventions to reduce risk of harms.
AB - BackgroundGrowing male anabolic steroid use is often framed as symptomatic of a post-industrial masculinity crisis, but little quantitative evidence exists for this account. We examine whether steroid use is associated with geographic exposure to industrial decline, namely historical coal mining, and whether any association is mediated by masculine norms.MethodsWe fielded a quota-sampled survey of 18–49 year-old men in Wales (N = 1425). Data were geo-linked to the extent of historic coal mining locally to respondents. Generalised linear mixed models were fitted to test our hypotheses.ResultsSteroid use (odds ratio = 1.99, 1.10–3.60), but not body image (B = 1.06, −2.02-4.13), was positively associated with mining extent. However, this was not mediated by conformity to masculine norms.DiscussionWhile use of steroids is more common in former mining areas, this is not due to more prevalent body image issues nor mediated by masculine norms. Thus, accounts of a post-industrial ‘thwarted masculinity’ do not fit the data. Steroid use in post-industrial areas is an issue for public health and these communities may benefit from targeted interventions to reduce risk of harms.
U2 - 10.1016/j.healthplace.2025.103456
DO - 10.1016/j.healthplace.2025.103456
M3 - Journal article
VL - 93
JO - Health and Place
JF - Health and Place
SN - 1353-8292
M1 - 103456
ER -