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Mediating Variables in a Parent Based Intervention to Reduce Skin Cancer Risk in Children

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Abstract

The present study examined theoretical mediators of a parent-based intervention on sunbathing tendencies and sunburn frequencies based on the work of Turrisi et al. [Turrisi, R., Hillhouse, J., Heavin, S., Robinson, J., Adams, M., & Berry, J. (2004). Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 27, 393–412.]. Three hundred and forty parents in two regions of the United States were educated about the dangers of risky sun behavior and how to convey information about skin cancer prevention to their children. Attitudes toward sunbathing, health beliefs, appearance beliefs, and social normative beliefs were examined and found to be significant mediators of program effects on sunbathing tendencies and sunburn frequencies. The findings are discussed with respect to maximizing the effectiveness of future skin cancer interventions with children.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by grant RPG 00-128-01-PBP from the American Cancer Society.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biobehavioral Health and Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 109 Henderson South Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    Rob Turrisi & Jerod Stapleton

  2. Department of Psychology, East Tennessee State University, P.O. Box 70649, Johnson city, TN, 37614, USA

    Joel Hillhouse

  3. Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    June K. Robinson

Authors
  1. Rob Turrisi
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  2. Joel Hillhouse
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  3. June K. Robinson
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  4. Jerod Stapleton
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Correspondence to Rob Turrisi.

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Turrisi, R., Hillhouse, J., Robinson, J.K. et al. Mediating Variables in a Parent Based Intervention to Reduce Skin Cancer Risk in Children. J Behav Med 30, 385–393 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9107-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-007-9107-6

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