Testing a belief-based intervention encouraging sun-safety among adolescents in a high risk area

Abstract Objective To provide a preliminary test of a theory of planned behavior (TPB) belief-based intervention to increase adolescents' sun-protective behaviors in a high risk area, Queensland, Australia. Methods In the period of October–November, 2007 and May–June, 2008, 80 adolescents (14.5...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Preventive medicine 2010-09, Vol.51 (3), p.325-328
Main Authors: White, Katherine M, Hyde, Melissa K, O'Connor, Erin L, Naumann, Lisa, Hawkes, Anna L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adolescents
Analysis of Variance
Beliefs
Female
Health Behavior
Health Education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
High risk
Humans
Informed consent
Internal Medicine
Intervention
Male
Motivation
Multivariate Analysis
Planned behaviour theory
Queensland - epidemiology
Risk Factors
Secondary schools
Sun-safety
Sunburn - prevention & control
Sunscreening Agents - therapeutic use
Theory of planned behavior
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Summary:Abstract Objective To provide a preliminary test of a theory of planned behavior (TPB) belief-based intervention to increase adolescents' sun-protective behaviors in a high risk area, Queensland, Australia. Methods In the period of October–November, 2007 and May–June, 2008, 80 adolescents (14.53 ± 0.69 years) were recruited from two secondary schools (one government and one private) in Queensland after obtaining student, parental, and school informed consent. Adolescents were allocated to either a control or intervention condition based on the class they attended. The intervention comprised three, one hour in-school sessions facilitated by Cancer Council Queensland employees with sessions covering the belief basis of the TPB (i.e., behavioral, normative, and control [barrier and motivator] sun-safe beliefs). Participants completed questionnaires assessing sun-safety beliefs, intentions, and behavior pre- and post-intervention. Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance was used to test the effect of the intervention across time on these constructs. Results Students completing the intervention reported stronger sun-safe normative and motivator beliefs and intentions and the performance of more sun-safe behaviors across time than those in the control condition. Conclusion Strengthening beliefs about the approval of others and motivators for sun protection may encourage sun-safe cognitions and actions among adolescents.
ISSN:0091-7435
1096-0260
DOI:10.1016/j.ypmed.2010.07.003