title: The role of risk perception in explaining parental sunscreen use.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed: (1) whether risk perceptions about skin cancer were related to parent's use of sunscreen on their children; (2) which combination of assessments susceptibility and severity best explain parental sunscreen protection behaviours and (3) whether risk perceptions influence behaviour directly through intentions or through attitudes, subjective norms and self-efficacy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two longitudinal studies assessed sunscreen protection behaviours of parents for their toddlers (N = 391) and young children (N = 436).
  
  
  METHODS
  Parent's use of sunscreen on their children.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Risk perceptions correlated with future sunscreen protection behaviours of parents but were lower than those of attitude, social influence and self-efficacy. Treating susceptibility and severity as an additive function resulted in the best model fit. Risk perceptions were related with future intention and future sunscreen protection behaviour, but the effects were mediated through attitude, social influence and self-efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our path analyses suggest treating susceptibility and severity as an additive function. A multiplicative model without main effects - although often used - had the poorest fit. Risk perceptions influence behaviour by influencing attitudinal and self-efficacy beliefs. Addressing risk perceptions in health communication programs is relevant when the purpose is to increase awareness and to influence attitudes and self-efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. hein.devries@gvo.unimaas.nl
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: Liesbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: van Osch
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Eijmael
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Smerecnik
authors.forename: Math
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Candel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009042:Motivation; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D013473:Sunscreening Agents