We don’t talk about it (Except when we do): Elite Barbadian adolescent athletes’ conversations on performance-enhancement and doping

Introduction Doping prevention increasingly emphasizes early intervention with education directed toward youth, parents, and coaches. Although adolescent athletes are a central focus of prevention efforts, little is known about how they learn about performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) and other enhancement practices through everyday social interactions. Understanding these informal learning processes is important for effective prevention. Methods This qualitative study examined how youth athletes make sense of PEDs through interactions with peers, parents, and coaches. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite Barbadian athletes (7 female, 13 male; aged 14–19). Guided by a domain-specific approach to socialization, thematic analysis examined athletes’ recollections of performance-related conversations with key socialization agents. Results Although athletes initially claimed that PEDs were “not discussed,” indirect peer conversations were common. Humor, speculation, and digital exchanges functioned as key sites of meaning-making, potentially shaping beliefs about prevalence, effectiveness, and necessity. Peers emerged as primary sources of informal learning through guided learning and group participation processes. In contrast, parents and coaches typically engaged through brief, one-directional exchanges aligned with control and protection domains, limiting dialogue and value internalization. Notably, athletes often educated peers and parents, reflecting bidirectional socialization. Conclusions Adolescent athletes actively construct understandings of PEDs through everyday conversations, particularly within peer networks, in the absence of adult engagement. Prevention strategies that rely solely on adult-led education may overlook these informal learning dynamics. Prevention strategies should promote open, dialogic conversations, leverage peer-based learning, and address the normalization of enhancement practices to better support adolescent athlete well-being and clean sport.