Comparison of interventions to reduce sun exposure.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is the leading behavioral cause of skin cancer. This study evaluated the efficacy of 2 interventions to reduce UV exposure in college students prior to an opportunity for high-intensity exposure. Participants of 1 college campus were assigned randomly to 1 of 2 interventions prior to their spring holiday spent in a warm, sunny location: (1) a community-based informational campaign, or (2) a combination of the campaign and a cognitive-behavioral small group intervention. Participants of a second college campus served as a comparison group. The cognitive-behavioral group exhibited increased knowledge, more positive attitudes toward UV protection, greater advancement through stages of change, and greater protective clothing use relative to the comparison or community-education groups. The informational campaign had little apparent impact in this study.
The Department of Psychology, Bradley University, Peoria, IL, USA.
Dawn C
DC
Roberts
Danielle
D
Black
D000293:Adolescent; D000570:American Cancer Society; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
D013473:Sunscreening Agents