Robert James Turrisi, Thesis Supervisor Robert James Turrisi, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Lori Anne Francis, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
skin cancer indoor UV tanning college-aged females Unified Theory of Behavior
Abstract:
Skin cancer has become an epidemic, with indoor UV tanning as a major risk factor. The behavior of indoor tanning is common among college-aged females. The purpose of this paper is to look at the factors that motivate young adult females to indoor tan. The model of Unified Behavior was used as a framework for this paper. Two hundred college-aged females on a college campus were surveyed about their tanning behaviors as well as the things that motivate their tanning. Appearance beliefs, injunctive norms, negative emotions and confidence proved to be significant in predicting indoor tanning intention. Intention to indoor tan was significant in predicting indoor tanning behavior in the last 12 months. Future research should focus on the aspects on appearance, injunctive norms, negative emotions, and confidence as predictors for indoor tanning.
