PARENTAL ENCOURAGEMENT OF CHILDRENS SUN-SAFETY BEHAVIORS - AN EXPLORATORY-STUDY

The incidence of skin cancer has risen dramatically in recent years. H owever, the disease can be prevented with a few lifestyle changes such as wearing sunscreen and a hat. Unfortunately, most people receive th e bulk of their lifetime sun exposure during childhood. To make a chil d embrace the sim-safety behaviors, parents must play an active role i n encouraging the children. This study investigates why some parents e ncourage their children to adopt sun-safety behaviors while others do not. Results demonstrate that Parental Sun-safe Behavior and Concern f or Self Getting Skin Cancer predict Parental Encouragement of Sun-safe Behavior among children.