Testing Multi-Theory Model (MTM) in Explaining Sunscreen Use among Florida Residents: An Integrative Approach for Sun Protection

Abstract

Florida residents have the second highest incidence of skin cancer in the nation. Sunscreen usage was found to be the one of the most effective integrative health approaches for reducing risk of skin cancer. Given the limited information on the likelihood of adopting and continuing sunscreen usage behavior, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine the correlates of initiating and sustaining sunscreen usage behavior among Florida dwellers, using the fourth-generation, multi-theory model (MTM) of behavior change. A web-based survey containing 51 questions was emailed to Florida residents aged 18 years or above, who were randomly selected from the state voter file. Psychometric validity of the survey instrument was established using structural equation modeling, and Cronbach’s alpha values were calculated for assessing the internal consistency. An independent-samples-t-test and hierarchical multiple regression tests were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that participants who engaged in sunscreen usage behavior, participatory dialogue (β = 0.062, p < 0.05), behavioral confidence (β = 0.636, p < 0.001), and changes in the physical environment (β = 0.210, p < 0.001) were statistically significant and accounted for 73.6% of the variance in initiating sunscreen usage behavior. In addition, the constructs of emotional transformation (β = 0.486, p < 0.001) and practice for change (β = 0.211, p < 0.001), as well as changes in the social environment (β = 0.148, p < 0.001) were significant predictors of maintaining sunscreen usage behavior and contributed to 59% of variance in sustenance. These findings offer a valuable insight regarding the applicability of MTM models to guiding public health interventions promoting sunscreen usage and preventing UV radiation risk and related skin cancer.

Explaining Correlates of Cervical Cancer Screening among Minority Women in the United States

“…Multiple indices of goodness-of-fit were used: the relative chi-square (χ2/df; cut-off values: <2-5), the Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA; close and acceptable fit are considered for values <0.05 and <0.11, respectively), the Tucker Lewis Index (TLI), and the Comparative Fit Index (CFI; acceptable values are ≥0.90) [44,45]. For each model, the overall fit, significance of structural paths, and amount of variability of the latent variables accounted for by the observed variables were assessed [39,45,46]. Standardized estimates for path coefficients, interpreted as regression coefficients, were calculated for all proposed relationships in the model.…”

“…There is a need to focus on newer models, such as the fourth-generation Multi-theory Model (MTM) of health behavior, to explain correlates of cervical cancer screening among minority women in the U.S. The MTM has been used in previous health behavior studies, such as for COVID-19, sleep, HPV vaccination, mammography, and melanoma, but to date, researchers have not tested the MTM on cervical cancer screening [43][44][45][46][47][48]. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlates of cervical cancer screening by Pap test using MTM as a theoretical paradigm in U.S. minority women.…”