title: Theory-Driven Longitudinal Study Exploring Indoor Tanning Initiation in Teens Using a Person-Centered Approach.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Younger indoor tanning initiation leads to greater melanoma risk due to more frequent and persistent behavior. Despite this, there are no published studies exploring the predictors of indoor tanning initiation in teen populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This longitudinal study uses latent profile analysis to examine indoor tanning initiation in indoor tanning risk subgroups from a national sample of female adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Latent profile analysis used indoor tanning beliefs and perceptions to identify indoor tanning initiation risk subgroups. The teens in each subgroup were reassessed on indoor tanning initiation after a year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three subgroups were identified: a low risk, anti-tanning subgroup (18.6 %) characterized by low scores on positive indoor tanning belief scales and high scores on beliefs about indoor tanning dangers; a moderate risk aware social tanner subgroup (47.2 %) characterized by high scores on positive indoor tanning belief scales but also high scores on beliefs about indoor tanning dangers; and a high risk risky relaxation tanner subgroup (34.2 %) characterized by high scores on positive indoor tanning belief scales and low scores on beliefs about indoor tanning dangers. Teens in the aware social tanner and risky relaxation tanner subgroups were significantly more likely to initiate indoor tanning in the following year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings highlight the need to identify teens at risk for indoor tanning initiation and develop tailored interventions that will move them to the lowest risk subgroup. Subgroup correlates suggest parent and peer-based interventions may be successful.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community & Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 104 Lamb Hall, Box 70674, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA. hillhous@etsu.edu.
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hillhouse
authors.affiliation: Edna Bennett Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Turrisi
authors.affiliation: Edna Bennett Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Cleveland
authors.affiliation: Edna Bennett Prevention Research Center, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Nichole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Scaglione
authors.affiliation: Department of Community & Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 104 Lamb Hall, Box 70674, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: Department of Community & Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, 104 Lamb Hall, Box 70674, Johnson City, TN, 37614, USA.
authors.forename: L Carter
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Florence
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D055108:Sunbathing / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Adolescents; Indoor tanning; Longitudinal study; Melanoma risk; National sample; Person-centered approach