Physical and psychological long-term consequences of state doping and the competitive sports system in the GDR

Topic and question

While the effects of political persecution and other forms of SED injustice on mental health have been comparatively well studied, there are no reliable studies on the connections between SED injustice and long-term physical consequences or illnesses, although this (causal) connection is repeatedly claimed by those affected and is also plausibilized on the basis of individual cases.

Methodic procedure

1. Using a multi-method approach that combines established questionnaires, standardized interviews on physical health, and the reconstruction of individual medical histories based on medical documents, a large number (N= 200) of victims of SED injustice, such as victims of state doping, will be studied. They will be invited to participate in the study in cooperation with the state commissioners, victims' associations, via media appeals, and in a "snowball system".
2. As in SP 5.4.2, the application of methods based on studies conducted by the RKI allows a comparison with representative findings from the general population.
3. Subsequently, the results will be summarized and published.