A comparison of health science and non-health science college majors regarding indoor and outdoor tanning based on health belief model constructs

A convenience sample of undergraduate and graduate college students (n = 354) at three universities in a Midwestern state were surveyed to ascertain differences pertaining to six Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs and one proposed construct (perceived illegitimate benefits), all related to tanning comparisons between health science (HS) majors and their non-health science (NHS) counterparts.  A 70 item structured response survey was developed from the UV literature and pre-existing studies, modified, jury validated, pilot tested, with reliability established for the seven constructs (.61 .70 .88 .89 .89 .93 .94).  A greater percentage of HS majors than NHS majors engaged in unhealthy tanning behaviors:  outdoor tanning (60.9% vs 51.1%) and indoor tanning (29.0% vs 12.6%).   Independent sample t-tests and post hoc pairwise comparisons yielded 15 individual items and two constructs (perceived benefits to UV protection; perceived illegitimate benefits to tanning) that were significant (p < .05) between the two groups.  Most notable was a significant difference regarding perceived illegitimate or invalid benefits, of tanning.  Results suggest even though HS majors had a greater perception of UV protective benefits, these same HS majors also had a greater perception of invalid benefits to intentional tanning than their non-HS counterparts (tanning benefits of confidence, slimmer, attractive, healthier, clearer complexion, relaxation, Vitamin D).  Future research should give further attention to this identified construct from the behavioral and HBM perspective (misperceptions of benefits associated with engaging in an unhealthy behavior).  Also approaches to address these invalid perceptions within the context of educational interventions should be examined.