Abstract
Objectives: Indoor tanning, which is most common among 18-25-year-old white women, increases the risk of skin cancer. To address this problem, we developed and tested messages with a national sample of indoor tanners to determine beliefs that would encourage them to quit. Methods: Messages discouraging indoor tanning using different persuasive themes (skin cancer risk, appearance risk, well-being enhancement) were developed based on formative research and a review of intervention efforts. We conducted an online experiment to test the final messages with a national sample of 480 indoor tanners. Results: Messages that emphasized skin cancer risk out-performed messages that focused on well-being enhancement or damage to appearance in terms of intention to quit indoor tanning. Analyses revealed 2 key mediators: Perceived argument strength and beliefs related to the effects of indoor tanning. Conclusions: Theory- A nd evidence-informed public health communications can contribute to improving health-related behaviors. Focusing on the risk of skin cancer may be the most effective strategy to reduce indoor tanning among young white women.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 292-301 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | American journal of health behavior |
| Volume | 44 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 2020 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:Caroline LaRochelle, Jill McDonald, and Barbara Walkosz. This publication was supported by Co-operative Agreement Number, 1U48DP005053, funded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the official views of the CDC.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 PNG Publications. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Health communication
- Health promotion
- Indoor tanning
- Integrative model
- Skin cancer
