The influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning behavior: Findings from a multi-city sample

Background Indoor tanning is common among adolescents. Objective Our purpose was to examine the influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning. Methods Telephone interviews were conducted with 5274 teen-parent pairs in the 100 largest US cities. Random coefficient regression analyses we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology Vol. 57; no. 6; pp. 990 - 997
Main Authors Hoerster, Katherine D., BA, Mayer, Joni A., PhD, Woodruff, Susan I., PhD, Malcarne, Vanessa, PhD, Roesch, Scott C., PhD, Clapp, Elizabeth, MPH
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.12.2007
Elsevier
Subjects
Adolescent
Adolescent Behavior
Adult
Attitude to Health
Beauty Culture
Biological and medical sciences
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dermatology
Educational Status
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced - etiology
Parents - psychology
Peer Group
Skin - radiation effects
Skin Neoplasms - etiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
Ultraviolet Rays - adverse effects
United States
United States
Human
Urban environment
Dermatology
Parent
Sample
Adolescent
Sunlamp
Behavior
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Summary:Background Indoor tanning is common among adolescents. Objective Our purpose was to examine the influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning. Methods Telephone interviews were conducted with 5274 teen-parent pairs in the 100 largest US cities. Random coefficient regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between parental and peer factors and adolescent indoor tanning. Results Teens' report of whether their parents allow them to tan indoors was the strongest predictor (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.6), whereas parents' modeling (aOR: 1.2), attitudes (aOR: 1.1), and concern about teen tanning (aOR: 1.9) were significantly but less strongly associated. Teens thinking most of their peers like to be tan (aOR: 1.7) and perceived percentage of peers who tan indoors (aOR: 1.0) also were significantly associated. Limitations The cross-sectional design was a limitation of this study. Conclusion Interventions targeting adolescent indoor tanning should address both family- and peer-related factors.
ISSN:0190-9622
1097-6787
DOI:10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.007