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Beyond the usual suspects: target group- and behavior-specific factors add to a theory-based sun protection intervention for teenagers

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Abstract

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.

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Notes

  1. All p-values refer to one-sided tests due to directed hypotheses.

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Acknowledgments

During the work on her dissertation, the first author was a pre-doctoral fellow of the International Max Planck Research School "The Life Course: Evolutionary and Ontogenetic Dynamics" (LIFE, www.imprs-life.mpg.de). We would like to thank Benjamin Schüz for valuable comments on an earlier version of this article. Study 2 was funded by a research grant from La Roche-Posay Cosmétique Active Germany.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Education and Psychology, Methods and Evaluation, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany

    Natalie Schüz & Michael Eid

  2. Centre of Research Excellence for Chronic Respiratory Disease, School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 23, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia

    Natalie Schüz

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  1. Natalie Schüz
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  2. Michael Eid
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Correspondence to Natalie Schüz.

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Schüz, N., Eid, M. Beyond the usual suspects: target group- and behavior-specific factors add to a theory-based sun protection intervention for teenagers. J Behav Med 36, 508–519 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-012-9445-x

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