Appearance Motives to Tan and Not Tan: Evidence for Validity and Reliability of a New Scale

Abstract

This study offers a framework and measurement instrument that has evidence of validity and reliability for evaluating appearance-based motives to tan and not tan.

Sun Burn Incidence and Knowledge of Greek Elementary and High School Children about Sun Protection

“…This finding is in agreement with other similar studies and could be attributed to the special increasing sensitivity of fair skin in combination perhaps with the knowledge or parental intervention which is more intensive in these cases, resulting to the uptake of protection sun measures due to the increasing concerns (Cafri et al, 2008;Tripp et al, 2013;Gefeller et al, 2014;Williams et al, 2014).…”

“…However, given that this is not feasible, there are some measures which are considered to be necessary for the protection during the sun exposure. Cotton and light colored clothes, staying in shady places, sun glasses, hat, avoiding exposure during midday hours and use of sunscreen with a high protection factor, are the main measures of sun protection (Cafri et al, 2008;Aalborg et al, 2009;Williams et al, 2013). The indicated protection factor for young individuals is >30 and for younger children >50 (Hawryluk et al, 2014;Reinau et al, 2014).…”

SMART: An Internet study of users experiences of synthetic tanning

“…Motives for tanning, and interplay with body image are well researched (Cafri et al, 2008;Cafri, Thompson, Jacobsen, & Hillhouse, 2009;Hillhouse & Turrisi, 2002;Hillhouse, Turrisi, & Kastner, 2000;Olson & Starr, 2006). Gender differences in actual tanning practices have been shown to exist, with females more likely to use artificial tanning equipment, and males less likely to practice sun protective behaviours in outdoor tanning (Demko, Borawski, Debanne, Cooper, & Stange, 2003;Livingston, White, Hayman, & Dobbinson, 2007).…”

“…Melanotan in this instance has also appeared to cross the gender divide. Body image investment dimensions regardless of gender are associated with frequency of tanning activity, and with motives influencing UV exposure behaviours (Cash et al, 2005;Cafri et al, 2008). One can extrapolate from the tanning literature (Hillhouse et al, 2000) that synthetic tanning motivations to improve appearance have indirect effects on behavioural intentions and attitudes, with Melanotan users guided by external situational cues presenting advice around synthetic tanning behaviours (for example online or real peers important to them).…”

Public (Skin) Health and the publishing source bias of Austrian information material

“…Thus, health behaviour towards sun protective habits encompassing avoidance of exposure to direct sunlight during the peak daylight hours, wearing protective clothing, and applying an adequate amount of sunscreen is recommended to reduce sun-related health hazards [3,4]. Despite of public awareness campaigns addressing these health risks, a tanned skin is still associated with desirable appearance attitudes in Western societies [5]. Accordingly, skin health promotion is identified as an important Public Health issue.…”