Determinants of sun-related behaviours in young adults: the role of knowledge, sociocultural influences, and appearance ideals.

Abstract

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in Australia (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2013). The aim of this research was to test and validate predictors that contribute to young adults’ sun-related behaviours (namely tanning behaviours, sun-protective behaviour, and incidental sun exposure), and therefore skin cancer risk. A systematic review of 34 quantitative studies assessed the correlation between skin cancer knowledge and sun-related behaviours in the general population. A positive relationship between higher skin cancer knowledge and greater sun-protective behaviour was found in the majority of cases. Overall, the capacity to determine the impact of skin cancer knowledge on sun-related behaviours was compromised by heterogeneity in measurement of the construct, and results indicated the need for a standardised, multi-item measure of skin cancer knowledge. Study two describes the development and testing of the 25-item Skin Cancer and Sun Knowledge (SCSK) scale in a sample of 514 young adults reporting Western heritage. Skin cancer knowledge was associated with sun-related behaviour, with the final model accounting for 12.3 to 23.2% of variance in female sun-related behaviours, however relationships were not significant among the male sample. Thus, consideration of additional factors, beyond skin cancer knowledge, was recommended. Tanning behaviour was considered from a body image perspective in the third study. In a sample of 246 young adults of Western heritage, predictors based on the Tripartite Influence Model (Thompson, Heinberg, Altabe, & Tantleff-Dunn, 1999b) successfully explained tanning behaviour among young women, but not young males. Although both genders internalised a tanned ideal, influences on the decision to engage in tanning behaviour were gender specific. The final two studies in this thesis explored the role of Asian heritage in the sun-related behaviours of young adults. The fourth study assessed predictors of sun-related behaviours among 140 young adults of Asian heritage. Tanning behaviour was common, and was more likely among those who endorsed Western sociocultural tanning norms. Skin cancer knowledge levels were low, and were not associated with sun-related behaviour. The fifth and final study considered the role of sociocultural variables, including Australian-acculturation, in the prediction of sun-related behaviours among young adults with Asian heritage (N = 399). Skin tone perceptions and endorsement of sociocultural tanning norms that value tanned skin were significantly associated with tanning behaviour, however acculturation was not. These results indicate the pervasiveness of the effect of social normative influences and skin tone attractiveness perceptions on tanning behaviour, among diverse cultural samples. The series of studies presented in this thesis improve understandings of young adults’ sun-related behaviour. There is a need for consistent measurement of skin cancer knowledge and improvement of knowledge levels, beyond awareness, and improving skin cancer knowledge may be a key area to target for Asian Australians. Sociocultural tanning norms and skin tone preferences are central to understanding tanning behaviour across cultural groups, and the results suggest that conceptualisation of female tanning as a body image behaviour may be appropriate. Importantly, results suggest the role of these predictors differs across genders, and suggestions for future research addressing young men’s sun-related behaviour are discussed.