Effect of seasonal affective disorder and pathological tanning motives on efficacy of an appearance-focused intervention to prevent skin cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the robustness of an appearance-focused intervention to prevent skin cancer in individuals reporting seasonal affective disorder (SAD) symptoms and pathological tanning motives.


METHODS
Randomized, controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
College campus.


METHODS
Four hundred thirty adult female indoor tanners (200 in the intervention group and 230 control participants).


METHODS
A booklet discussing the history of tanning, current tanning norms, UV radiation's effects on skin, recommendations for indoor tanning use focusing on abstinence and harm reduction recommendations, and information on healthier, appearance-enhancing alternatives to tanning.


METHODS
Self-reported attitudes, intentions, and tanning behaviors; pathological tanning motives assessed by a questionnaire developed for this study; and SAD symptoms assessed by the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire.


RESULTS
Two of the 4 pathological tanning scales, opiatelike reactions to tanning and dissatisfaction with natural skin tone, were significant moderators demonstrating stronger treatment effects for individuals scoring higher on these scales. Treatment effects were equivalently positive (ie, no significant moderator effects) for all levels of SAD symptoms and all levels of the other 2 pathological tanning motive scales (ie, perceiving tanning as a problem and tolerance to the effects of tanning).


CONCLUSIONS
The appearance-focused skin cancer prevention intervention is robust enough to reduce indoor tanning among tanners who exhibit SAD symptoms or pathological tanning motives. Tailored interventions may address individuals' motivations for tanning and their relation to maladaptive behavior, such as dissatisfaction with appearance or the need for relaxation because of anxiety.
Hillhouse
Joel
J
Department of Community Health, East Tennessee State University, Campus Box 70674, Johnson City, TN 37614, USA. hillhous@etsu.edu
Turrisi
Rob
R
Stapleton
Jerod
J
Robinson
June
J
D000293:Adolescent; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D040261:Harm Reduction; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016574:Seasonal Affective Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult