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Young people and sun safety: the role of attitudes, norms and control factors
Author(s) -
Robinson Natalie G.,
White Katherine M.,
McD. Young Ross,
Anderson Peter J.,
Hyde Melissa K.,
Greenbank Susan,
Keane Julie,
Rolfe Toni,
Vardon Paul,
Baskerville Debra
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he08045
Subject(s) - normative , theory of planned behavior , sun protection , psychological intervention , psychology , normative social influence , social psychology , perception , control (management) , medicine , environmental health , management , psychiatry , economics , philosophy , epistemology , neuroscience
Issue addressed Differences in the behavioural, normative and control beliefs of young Australian sunprotectors and non sun‐protectors are analysed using a theory of planned behaviour belief‐based framework. Methods A questionnaire assessed the sun‐safety‐related beliefs and perceptions of a Queensland sample (n=858) of young people aged between 12 and 20 years. Two weeks later, participants reported their sunprotective behaviour for the previous fortnight. Results The study found that clear differences emerged between sun‐protectors and non‐protectors on underlying normative and control beliefs related to sun‐safety behaviours (but not behavioural beliefs). Specifically, sun‐protectors were more likely to believe that their friends and family think they should perform sun‐protective behaviours. Sun‐protectors were also more likely to perceive that a range of motivating factors would encourage them to perform sun‐safety behaviours. Finally, non‐protectors were more likely to report forgetfulness and laziness as barriers preventing them from performing sun‐protection behaviours than sunprotectors. Conclusions Findings indicate that future interventions should target young people's normative and control beliefs related to sun safety. So what? Targeting the normative and control beliefs of young people in relation to sun protection is important to encourage an increase in sun‐safety behaviours in these high‐risk populations.