Significant correlations of .38 to .59 for positive attitudes toward suntanning and reports by 62 undergraduate women of engaging in behaviors that would place them at risk for skin cancer suggest educational programs designed to prevent skin cancer should focus on changing positive attitudes attached to the value of a suntan.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
BishopG. D. (1994) Health psychology.Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
2.
BroadstockM.BorlandR., & GasonR. (1992) Effects of suntan on judgments of healthiness and attractiveness by adolescents, Journal of American Social Psychology, 22, 157–172.
3.
HillD.TheobaldT.BorlandR.WhiteV., & MarksR. (1990) Summer activities, sunburn, sun-related attitudes and precautions against skin cancer—a survey of Melbourne residents in the summer of 1987–1988.Melbourne: Centre for Behavioural Research in Cancer.
4.
JohnsonE. Y., & LookingbillD. P. (1984) Sunscreen use and sun exposure. Archives of Dermatology, 120, 727–731.
5.
KeesungB., & FriedmanH. S. (1987) Psychosocial factors in sunbathing and sunscreen use. Health Psychology, 6, 477–493.
6.
MillerA.AshtonJ.McHoskeyJ., & GimbelJ. (1990) What price attractiveness? Stereotype and risk factors in suntanning behavior, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 20, 1272–1300.
7.
Vail-SmithK., & FeltsM. W. (1993) Sunbathing: college students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of risks, Journal of American College Health, 24, 21–26.