Effects of appearance-based intervention on sun protection intentions and self-reported behaviors.

Abstract

Two appearance-based interventions designed to increase sun protection intentions and behaviors were evaluated. Sixty-eight college students in Experiment 1 and 76 beachgoers in Experiment 2 were randomly assigned to receive or not receive a photoaging (premature wrinkling and age spots) information intervention and, separately, to receive or not receive a novel ultraviolet (UV) photo intervention that makes the negative-appearance consequences of UV exposure more salient. Both experiments indicated that the UV photo intervention significantly increased intentions to use sunscreen in the future. A follow-up conducted with the beach sample indicated that UV photo information also produced greater protective behaviors for incidental sun exposure and that the combination of UV photo and photoaging information resulted in substantially lower reported sunbathing.

Social norms information enhances the efficacy of an appearance-based sun protection intervention

“…Relative to controls, nearly twice as many of those who received the UV Photo/photoaging information intervention increased their sunscreen use on their face and nearly three times as many increased the frequency with which they used sunscreen on their body in the month following the intervention. Also consistent with previous research, those who received the intervention were much more likely to share the information with friends and family members (Mahler et al, 2003;2005). Only 14% of controls discussed sun protection with friends and family members following the study, whereas an average of 58% (46% -71% depending upon condition) of intervention participants did so.…”

“…The results of this study add to the growing literature demonstrating that utilizing UV photographs to show individuals their existing (but not currently visible) sun damage and thereby making salient the negative appearance consequences of sun exposure can be an effective method of increasing sun protection intentions and behaviors Mahler et al, 2003Mahler et al, , 2005Mahler et al, , 2006Mahler et al, , 2007. Relative to controls, nearly twice as many of those who received the UV Photo/photoaging information intervention increased their sunscreen use on their face and nearly three times as many increased the frequency with which they used sunscreen on their body in the month following the intervention.…”

“…Several recent studies have demonstrated the promise of appearance-based interventions, which attempt to motivate sun protection behaviors by highlighting the link between sun exposure and appearance detractors such as wrinkles, age spots, and uneven pigmentation. (Jones & Leary, 1994;Gibbons, Gerrard, Lane, Mahler, & Kulik, 2005;Mahler, Fitzpatrick, Parker, & Lapin, 1997;Mahler, Kulik, Gibbons, Gerrard, & Harrell, 2003;Mahler, Kulik, Harrel, Correa, Gibbons & Gerrard, 2005). Relative to a healthbased message, messages that emphasize negative appearance consequences may better counteract the primary (appearance-based) motivation for sun exposure, namely getting a tan.…”

“…A number of recent appearance-based interventions have employed UV photography to highlight the negative appearance consequences of UV exposure Mahler et al, 2003;2005;Pogato, McChargue, & Fuqua, 2003). Chronic UV exposure results in uneven epidermal pigmentation which, when photographed through a UV filter, appears as brown spots/blotches (see Fulton, 1997, for sample photos).…”

Melanoma Epidemiology and Prevention

“…One study delivering photo-aging information, photograph of UV damage, and free sunscreen did find some reduction in sunbathing but not in incidental sun exposure [153]. Another study on a similar intervention with beach visitors reduced their frequency of sunbathing and prevalence of sunburn at a 2-month follow-up but only sunbathing and not sunburn prevalence at a 1-year follow-up [191].…”