Acculturation and the sun-safe behaviors of Latinos: Preliminary evidence for moderated mediation by sociodemographic factors

Recent research has revealed a negative association between Latinos' acculturation and their sun-safe behaviors, possibly mediated by education level, perceived health status, and social network characteristics such as availability and frequency of contact regarding health matters. We sought to elucidate this relationship further, by exploring the moderating effects of gender and health insurance on each mediated path. Data from 496 adult Latino respondents to the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey were used. Acculturation, assessed by a four-item index, was the primary predictor; sunscreen use, wearing long-sleeve shirts and long pants while outdoors on sunny days were the primary outcomes, assessed by frequency scales. Moderated mediation effects were tested with an established three-step causal moderation approach. The results suggested that the mediated association between acculturation, education level and sunscreen use might be stronger among women than men (p<0.08). Also, there was evidence that the association between acculturation and involvement with social networks regarding health matters might be stronger among insured than uninsured Latinos (p<0.08). Research should replicate these findings with large samples of Latinos and longitudinal data. Overall, our results suggest ways of refining the theoretical and empirical rationale for future sun safety interventions with Latinos and for future analyses of causal mechanisms.