WHY DO YOUNG-WOMEN USE SUNBEDS - A COMPARATIVE PSYCHOLOGICAL-STUDY

Many people are keen on getting a skin tan despite being aware of warn ings of health hazards. The present study investigates differences bet ween women regularly using sunbeds and a control group of non-users in the areas of self-concept, narcissistic regulatory modalities, social assertiveness and generalized self-efficacy. Thirty women users of su ntan salons and 34 women who never used one were investigated with sta ndardized psychological questionnaires, In addition. their knowledge a bout the hazards of using sunbeds and attitudes to tanning were record ed. Statistical evaluation shows that sunbed users demonstrate more ob ject devaluation: that is, other persons are devalued so that they are not even considered worthy of affection. Furthermore, they also displ ay greater anxiety in their feelings and relationships with others, Th e results of this pilot study support the hypothesis that a tanned ski n, by helping sunbed users to achieve their ideal of beauty enables th em to devalue other people and thus possibly to protect themselves fro m close relationships, As medical information about the hazards of ult raviolet irradiation fails to make an adequate impression on them, pub lic relations campaigns must be undertaken in order to make them aware of the underlying motives of their behaviour.