Effect of athletes' ethical sensitivity on doping mindset and tendency: moderated by sex and age

It is essential to check athletes' mindset and tendency toward doping to prevent it. This study aimed to determine the effect of athletes' ethical sensitivity on their mindset and tendency toward doping, and whether age and sex have a moderating effect. To achieve the purpose of this study, 1003 athletes registered in the Korea Sports Association were surveyed with a questionnaire consisting of 34 questions including ethical sensitivity items and a Performance Enhancement Attitude Scale (PEAS). To verify the reliability and validity of the data, an Item Response Theory (IRT)-based Rasch model was applied. Consequently, we deleted three questions from ethical sensitivity and five questions from PEAS. Our results are as follows: First, ethical sensitivity showed differences according to sex, and mindset and tendency toward doping showed differences according to age. Second, ethical sensitivity was found to have a statistically significant effect on mindset and tendency toward doping. Third, regarding the effect of ethical sensitivity on their mindset and tendency toward doping, the moderating effect of sex and age was not found to have a statistically significant effect. Our findings confirmed that ethical sensitivity has a positive relationship with the mindset and tendency toward doping. In other words, improving the ethical sensitivity of athletes will increase their ethical awareness and help prevent unethical behavior such as doping.