Sun protection motivational stages and behavior: skin cancer risk profiles.
OBJECTIVE
To create skin cancer risk profiles that could be used to predict sun protection among Midwest beachgoers.


METHODS
Cluster analysis was used with study participants (N=239), who provided information about sun protection motivation and behavior, perceived risk, burn potential, and tan importance. Participants were clustered according to their risk profiles; 4 distinct risk profiles emerged.


RESULTS
Analyses revealed that risk profiles were significantly different on sun protection motivation and behavior and marginally different in terms of sun tanning behavior.


CONCLUSIONS
Given the complexity of risk factors, an examination of clusters, rather than factors in isolation, may more accurately depict sun protection behavior.
Pagoto
Sherry L
SL
Department of Psychology, University of Illinois-Chicago, Chicago, IL 60067, USA. spagoto@uic.edu
McChargue
Dennis E
DE
Schneider
Kristin
K
Werth Cook
Jessica
J
D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013471:Sunburn / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires