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Correlates of sun protection behaviors among Hispanic children residing in a high UVR environment
Author(s) -
Miller Kimberly A.,
Huh Jimi,
Unger Jennifer B.,
Richardson Jean L.,
Allen Martin W.,
Peng David H.,
Cockburn Myles G.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
photodermatology, photoimmunology and photomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.736
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1600-0781
pISSN - 0905-4383
DOI - 10.1111/phpp.12287
Subject(s) - sunburn , sun protection , psychosocial , psychological intervention , sunbathing , acculturation , skin cancer , sun exposure , medicine , environmental health , demography , psychology , gerontology , immigration , geography , cancer , archaeology , dermatology , psychiatry , sociology
Summary Background/Purpose Rates of melanoma are rising in Hispanics in the United States. Excessive sun exposure in childhood increases the risk of melanoma in adulthood, and little is known about the factors motivating sun protection behaviors among Hispanic youth. Methods Correlates of sun protection were examined among Hispanic children residing in Los Angeles, California ( N = 1891). Associations between multiple constructs (psychosocial, familial, and cultural) and sun protection outcomes (use of sunscreen, protective clothing, and shade seeking/sun avoidance) were examined. Results Family variables were associated with more frequent sun protection among Hispanic children across outcomes, as were perceived peer norms, perceived self‐efficacy, and fewer sun protection barriers. Skin cancer risk factors such as lighter skin and sunburn experience, and level of acculturation were not associated with greater sun protection. Conclusion Family sun protection habits are instrumental to Hispanic children's sun safe behaviors, and interventions that engage the family may be most effective. Increasing risk communication to high‐risk subgroups of Hispanic children (those with lighter, more sun reactive skin) is important when developing intervention strategies. However, there is overlap between Hispanic children's sun protection correlates and those observed among non‐Hispanic white children, suggesting that interventions to improve sun protection may generalize across cultural contexts.