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Barbara A. Bewerse, MN, MPH, Health Behavior & Health Education, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 201 Highway 54 Bypass West, Apt 111, Carrboro, NC 27510, 919/933-2941, bewerse@email.unc.edu, Brenda DeVellis, PhD, Dept of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, CB #7400, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7400, and William B. Ware, PhD, School of Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 109 Peabody Hall, Campus Box 3500, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.
Background: Ultraviolet radiation is well documented as a major environmental risk factor for skin cancer in humans. Further, the critical time of exposure occurs early in life. Children tend to spend a lot of time outside, often suffering the unintended effects of the sun, such as sunburn. When children are young parents can instill some control over their children’s environment. One way to reduce the environmental effects of the sun is to use sunscreen on their children. Study: A national survey of parents was conducted. Part of the survey collected parents’ responses to questions regarding their behavioral, normative, and control beliefs about use of sunscreen on their children, and their intention to use sunscreen on their children. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) was used to inform the design of the survey questions. Methods: Structural Equation Modeling was the analytic technique used to conduct confirmatory factor analysis on TPB construct latent variables and their respective indicators (survey items), and to examine the conceptual relationships among the latent variables (parents’ beliefs and intentions) regarding use of sunscreen on their children. Results: Findings will be presented. Discussion: Contributions to, and implications for future behavioral research, as well as choice of theory and analytic technique, will be presented in the context of parental beliefs and intentions to use sunscreen on their children.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to
Keywords: Cancer Prevention, Family Involvement
Related Web page: None
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.