Dr. Woolf Publishes Two Studies Through International Research Collaborations

Dr. Jules Woolf recently published one article and had a second accepted for publication, both as lead author, advancing research on doping prevention, athlete well-being, and substance use in sport.

The first article, “We don’t talk about it (Except when we do): Elite Barbadian adolescent athletes’ conversations on performance-enhancement and doping,” was published in Performance Enhancement & Health. Developed through an international collaboration with colleagues at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, and the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization, the study examined how elite Barbadian adolescent athletes learn about and make sense of performance-enhancing drugs through everyday interactions with peers, parents, and coaches. Findings revealed that, despite athletes initially reporting that doping was rarely discussed, indirect conversations among peers were common and helped shape their understanding of performance enhancement. The study highlights the importance of moving beyond adult-led education to encourage open conversations, peer-based learning, and prevention strategies that address how young athletes encounter and interpret information about doping.

The second article, “Stress, Coping Strategies, and Substance Use among American and British Student-Athletes,” was accepted for publication in the Journal of Intercollegiate Sport. Conducted in collaboration with colleagues at the University of Birmingham, England, this study explored how collegiate student-athletes in the United States and United Kingdom experience stress and use different coping strategies, including alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. Interviews with student-athletes revealed differences in their primary stressors, with American athletes reporting greater athletic demands and British athletes identifying academic pressures as their main concern. The findings illustrate the complex roles substances can play in managing stress and pain, with implications for developing interventions that promote healthy coping strategies, reduce substance misuse, and support student-athletes’ academic and athletic success.

Publication details

Woolf, J., Juma, B. O., Sutherland, S., & Griffith, A. (2026). We don’t talk about it (Except when we do): Elite Barbadian adolescent athletes’ conversations on performance-enhancement and doping. Performance Enhancement & Health, 14(5), 100465. Read the article and access the free download: https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1nu-S7soApeBcQ

Woolf, J., Zoob Carter, B., Juma, B. O., Ruwuya, J., Kavussanu, M., & Boardley, I. D. (in press). Stress, coping strategies, and substance use among American and British student-athletes. Journal of Intercollegiate Sport.