Demographic, psychosocial, and objective risk factors related to perceived risk of skin cancer.

Abstract

The present study examined the ways in which demographic, psychosocial, and objective risk factors were related to perceived risk of skin cancer among 384 hospital employees who participated in a screening program. It was hypothesized that pyschosocial risk factors would account for a significant portion of the variance in risk perception beyond that accounted for by the other risk factors. The risk factors accounted for approximately 44% of the variance in risk perception. Psychosocial risk factors accounted for a statistically significant portion of the variance in risk perception beyond that accounted for by other risk factors. Worry, family history of skin cancer, and race/ethnicity were most strongly related to perceived risk. Results are discussed in terms of the need for educational programs that emphasize the relationship between level of risk and skin cancer and provide specific information regarding steps that can be taken to prevent skin cancer.