Correlates of Tanning Dependence Among Sexual Minority Males

• Published in: Psychology of men & masculinity 2019-04, Vol.20 (2), p.208-213
• Main Authors: Nogg, Kelsey A., Lamb, Kalina M., Rooney, Benjamin M., Blashill, Aaron J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Addictions; Artificial light; Behavior; Health risk assessment; High risk; Human; Human Males; Male; Males; Men; Minority Groups; Neoplasms; Prevention programs; Risk behavior; Risk Factors; Sexual Minority Groups; Sexual Orientation; Skin (Anatomy); Skin cancer; Skin Neoplasms; Sunbathing; Suntan; Tanning
• ISSN: 1524-9220; 1939-151X
• DOI: 10.1037/men0000167

Sexual minority males are a group at high risk for developing skin cancer, which may be related to elevated rates of indoor tanning. Tanning dependence may be one risk factor for indoor tanning behavior, yet little research has focused on the predictors of skin cancer risk behaviors in sexual minority males. The aim of the current study was to explore the association between tanning dependence and skin cancer risk behaviors in a sample of sexual minority males. Participants were 230 sexual minority males of age 15-35 years (M = 24.66, SD = 5.44) living in San Diego County, California, United States. Participants completed measures of skin cancer risk behaviors (e.g., indoor tanning behavior and use of sunscreen), and tanning dependence was measured via the Behavioral Addiction Indoor Tanning Screener. Results demonstrated significant positive associations between tanning dependence and all measures of skin cancer risk behaviors. Elevated tanning dependence was associated with greater indoor tanning frequency (b = .75, p < .001), greater odds of having indoor tanned (odds ratio = 1.84, p = .007), greater intent to indoor tan (b = .90, p < .001), and lower sunscreen use (b = −.22, p = .002). These results highlight the role of tanning dependence in understanding why sexual minority males may engage in skin cancer risk behaviors. Skin cancer prevention efforts aimed at reducing indoor tanning in sexual minority males may benefit from adding a component designed to address tanning dependence in this population. Public Significance Statement Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, and substantial skin cancer health disparities have recently been noted among sexual minority men. Yet, very limited data exist on predictors of skin cancer risk behaviors in this population. Thus, the current findings highlight one particular variable, tanning dependence, which, if targeted for intervention, could subsequently reduce the incidence of skin cancer in this vulnerable population.