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A randomized controlled trial of an appearance‐focused intervention to prevent skin cancer
Author(s) -
Hillhouse Joel,
Turrisi Rob,
Stapleton Jerod,
Robinson June
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.23922
Subject(s) - skin cancer , medicine , psychological intervention , intervention (counseling) , normative , randomized controlled trial , mediation , cancer prevention , cognition , sunbathing , cancer , gerontology , clinical psychology , pathology , psychiatry , dermatology , philosophy , epistemology , political science , law
BACKGROUND. Skin cancer represents a significant health threat with over 1.3 million diagnoses, 8000 melanoma deaths, and more than $1 billion spent annually for skin cancer healthcare in the US. Despite findings from laboratory, case‐control, and prospective studies that indicate a link between youthful indoor tanning (IT) and skin cancer, IT is increasing among US youth. Appearance‐focused interventions represent a promising method to counteract these trends. METHODS. A total of 430 female indoor tanners were randomized into intervention or no intervention control conditions. Intervention participants received an appearance‐focused booklet based on decision‐theoretical models of health behavior. Outcome variables included self‐reports of IT behavior and intentions, as well as measures of cognitive mediating variables. RESULTS. Normative increases in springtime IT rates were significantly lower (ie, over 35%) at 6‐month follow‐up in intervention versus control participants with similar reductions in future intentions. Mediation analyses revealed 6 cognitive variables (IT attitudes, fashion attitudes, perceived susceptibility to skin cancer and skin damage, subjective norms, and image norms) that significantly mediated change in IT behavior. CONCLUSIONS. The appearance‐focused intervention demonstrated strong effects on IT behavior and intentions in young indoor tanners. Appearance‐focused approaches to skin cancer prevention need to present alternative behaviors as well as alter IT attitudes. Mediational results provide guides for strengthening future appearance‐focused interventions directed at behaviors that increase risk of skin cancer. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society.