Examination of cognitive variables relevant to sunscreen use

The present study is an examination of the underlying psychological variabl es relevant to a sun-damage preventive behavior sunscreen use. The focus of the research was to examine cognitive predictors of sunscreen use, utilizi ng a decision theoretic framework. Two hundred thirty subjects were recruit ed from psychology classes and administered questionnaires assessing sunscr een behavioral tendencies, attitudes toward sunscreen use, and internal- an d external-based cognitions relevant toward sunscreen use. In contrast to p revious work that had examined only one or two of these predictor variables in isolation, the present study evaluated the relative impact of these var iables on sunscreen use tendencies. The findings revealed evidence of a mul tivariate model (using structural equation modeling; LISREL VIII) relating perceived need for, perceived efficacy of perceived consequences of and soc ial normative influences on sunscreen use. The findings are discussed with respect to improving the effectiveness of short-term education efforts to i ncrease sunscreen use.