Abstract
BackgroundDespite the increased level of familial risk, research indicates that family members of patients with melanoma engage in relatively low levels of sun protection and high levels of sun exposure. The goal of this study was to evaluate a broad range of demographic, medical, psychological, knowledge, and social influence correlates of sun protection and sunbathing practices among first-degree relatives (FDRs) of melanoma patients and to determine if correlates of sun protection and sunbathing were unique.MethodsWe evaluated correlates of sun protection and sunbathing among FDRs of melanoma patients who were at increased disease risk due to low compliance with sun protection and skin surveillance behaviors. Participants (N = 545) completed a phone survey.ResultsFDRs who reported higher sun protection had a higher education level, lower benefits of sunbathing, greater sunscreen self-efficacy, greater concerns about photo-aging and greater sun protection norms. FDRs who reported higher sunbathing were younger, more likely to be female, endorsed fewer sunscreen barriers, perceived more benefits of sunbathing, had lower image norms for tanness, and endorsed higher sunbathing norms.ConclusionInterventions for family members at risk for melanoma might benefit from improving sun protection self-efficacy, reducing perceived sunbathing benefits, and targeting normative influences to sunbathe.
Highlights
IntroductionDespite the increased level of familial risk, research indicates that family members of patients with melanoma engage in relatively low levels of sun protection and high levels of sun exposure
Despite the increased level of familial risk, results of several studies indicate that family members of patients with melanoma engage in relatively low levels of ultraviolet light (UV) protection and high levels of exposure
Drawing from the Preventive Health Model (PHM), we examined the degree to which background demographic and medical factors, psychological factors, and social influence factors were associated with sun protection and sunbathing
Summary
Despite the increased level of familial risk, research indicates that family members of patients with melanoma engage in relatively low levels of sun protection and high levels of sun exposure. First degree relatives (FDRs) of individuals who Despite the increased level of familial risk, results of several studies indicate that family members of patients with melanoma engage in relatively low levels of UV protection and high levels of exposure. Manne and colleagues [13] reported that FDRs of individuals diagnosed with melanoma engaged in relatively low levels of sun protection. Azzarello and colleagues [14] assessed sun protection practices among FDRs of individuals diagnosed with melanoma, and reported that more than one-third of relatives never or rarely used sunscreen, and more than 60% rarely or never wore protective clothing. Sunscreen use was high in this sample (90%) as was the use of other methods of sun protection
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