Sun protection standards among teenagers are low while sun exposure peaks in this age group. Study 1 explores predictors of adolescent protection intentions and exposure behavior. Study 2 tests the effectiveness of an intervention based on these predictors. Study 1 (cross-sectional, N = 207, ages 15–18) and Study 2 (RCT, N = 253, ages 13–19) were conducted in schools. Path models were used to analyze data. Self-efficacy (β = .26, p < .001) and time perspective (β = .17, p = .014) were the strongest predictors of intentions; appearance motivation (β = .54, p < .001) and intention (β = -.18, p = .015) predicted behavior. The intervention effected changes in all predictors except self-efficacy. Changes in outcome expectancies (β = .19, p < .001) and time perspective (β = .09, p = .039) predicted changes in intention, while changes in intention (β = -.17, p = .002) and appearance motivation (β = .29, p < .001) predicted behavior changes. Target group- and behavior-specific intervention components are as important for changes in intentions and behavior as components derived from common health behavior theories.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	sun protection, skin cancer, intervention, appearance, adolescents
Research Division:	Psychology
Research Group:	Clinical and health psychology
Research Field:	Health psychology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Public health (excl. specific population health)
Objective Field:	Behaviour and health
UTAS Author:	Schuz, N (Dr Natalie Schuez)
ID Code:	79649
Year Published:	2013 (online first 2012)
Web of Science® Times Cited:	14
Deposited By:	Research Division
Deposited On:	2012-09-26
Last Modified:	2015-08-06
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