Contextual factors, indoor tanning, and tanning dependence in young women.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association of contextual factors such as cost, tanning accessibility, regulations, or marketing and indoor tanning or tanning dependence.


METHODS
One hundred thirty-nine college-aged female indoor tanners completed a questionnaire between 2009 and 2011.


RESULTS
Higher scores on tanning dependence and assessment in the spring/summer (versus the fall/winter) were associated with more frequent indoor tanning in the last 30 days (ps < .05). More frequent indoor tanning, greater session length, and more trouble paying for tanning were associated with higher scores on tanning dependence (ps < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Public health research and practice could benefit from attention to such contextual factors as tanning cost and regulations regarding session length.
Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA. carolyn.heckman@fccc.edu.
Carolyn J
CJ
Heckman
Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Susan D
SD
Darlow
Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Jacqueline D
JD
Kloss
Cancer Prevention and Control Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Teja
T
Munshi
Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA.
Sharon L
SL
Manne
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult