Abstract:Perceived social norms are routinely observed as positive predictors of indoor tanning. Past research has suggested that messaging interventions target normative perceptions to reduce indoor tanning behavior. Despite this call, little empirical research has investigated the utility of taking a social norms approach in behavioral interventions. The present study addresses this gap by conducting a quasi-experiment ( N = 206) assessing the effect of an intervention message correcting normative misperceptions on i… Show more
“…Intervention users were asked to provide estimates of the percentage of young women who used any indoor tanning in the past year, tanned 10 or more times, and tanned 25 or more times and subsequent feedback showed how these estimates compared to the actual percent of young adult women who engaged in tanning bed use at these levels based on national survey data collected near the time of intervention development (Stapleton et al, 2017b). Providing data to demonstrate these normative discrepancies is consistent with MI principles and has been shown in experimental research to reduce tanning intentions among frequent users (Carcioppolo et al, 2019).…”
Section: Methodssupporting
confidence: 59%
“…these levels based on national survey data collected near the time of intervention development (Stapleton et al, 2017b). Providing data to demonstrate these normative discrepancies is consistent with MI principles and has been shown in experimental research to reduce tanning intentions among frequent users (Carcioppolo et al, 2019).…”
Section: Encourage Change Planningmentioning
confidence: 55%
“…The second goal was to bolster participants’ commitment to change by identifying perceived discrepancies with current tanning behavior and important external or internal standards (Neal and Carey, 2004). External standards were addressed with a personalized normative feedback approach designed to correct normative misperceptions about tanning that result from the tendency of frequent indoor tanners to overestimate the prevalence of tanning behaviors of peers (Carcioppolo et al, 2019). Intervention users were asked to provide estimates of the percentage of young women who used any indoor tanning in the past year, tanned 10 or more times, and tanned 25 or more times and subsequent feedback showed how these estimates compared to the actual percent of young adult women who engaged in tanning bed use at these levels based on national survey data collected near the time of intervention development (Stapleton et al, 2017b).…”
Frequent indoor tanning bed use is an established public health concern, yet research on tanning cessation interventions for frequent tanners is lacking. We describe the protocol for a brief, web-based tanning behavior change intervention and present evidence that it is acceptable and engaging to frequent indoor tanners. Lower tanning rates were not observed among participants receiving the intervention in a randomized controlled trial but participants’ interest in changing tanning increased. This intervention could be a useful approach to increasing frequent tanners’ interest in behavior change and openness to engaging within a more intensive, multi-component tanning cessation program. Trial Registration: NCT03448224 Clinical Trials.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03448224?cond=NCT03448224&draw=2&rank=1 )
“…Intervention users were asked to provide estimates of the percentage of young women who used any indoor tanning in the past year, tanned 10 or more times, and tanned 25 or more times and subsequent feedback showed how these estimates compared to the actual percent of young adult women who engaged in tanning bed use at these levels based on national survey data collected near the time of intervention development (Stapleton et al, 2017b). Providing data to demonstrate these normative discrepancies is consistent with MI principles and has been shown in experimental research to reduce tanning intentions among frequent users (Carcioppolo et al, 2019).…”
Section: Methodssupporting
confidence: 59%
“…these levels based on national survey data collected near the time of intervention development (Stapleton et al, 2017b). Providing data to demonstrate these normative discrepancies is consistent with MI principles and has been shown in experimental research to reduce tanning intentions among frequent users (Carcioppolo et al, 2019).…”
Section: Encourage Change Planningmentioning
confidence: 55%
“…The second goal was to bolster participants’ commitment to change by identifying perceived discrepancies with current tanning behavior and important external or internal standards (Neal and Carey, 2004). External standards were addressed with a personalized normative feedback approach designed to correct normative misperceptions about tanning that result from the tendency of frequent indoor tanners to overestimate the prevalence of tanning behaviors of peers (Carcioppolo et al, 2019). Intervention users were asked to provide estimates of the percentage of young women who used any indoor tanning in the past year, tanned 10 or more times, and tanned 25 or more times and subsequent feedback showed how these estimates compared to the actual percent of young adult women who engaged in tanning bed use at these levels based on national survey data collected near the time of intervention development (Stapleton et al, 2017b).…”
Frequent indoor tanning bed use is an established public health concern, yet research on tanning cessation interventions for frequent tanners is lacking. We describe the protocol for a brief, web-based tanning behavior change intervention and present evidence that it is acceptable and engaging to frequent indoor tanners. Lower tanning rates were not observed among participants receiving the intervention in a randomized controlled trial but participants’ interest in changing tanning increased. This intervention could be a useful approach to increasing frequent tanners’ interest in behavior change and openness to engaging within a more intensive, multi-component tanning cessation program. Trial Registration: NCT03448224 Clinical Trials.gov ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03448224?cond=NCT03448224&draw=2&rank=1 )
“…Criticism of a tan-appearing public figure may shift social norms about indoor tanning for the better or worse, depending on how people feel about that public figure. Perceived social norms strongly predict indoor tanning [ 26 ] and increased negative sentiment toward indoor tanning and a tan appearance may shift appearance-related social norms. Future research should explore how negative sentiment on social media about tanned celebrities influences indoor tanning behavior and attitudes.…”
Background
Indoor tanning is a preventable risk factor for skin cancer. Statewide shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in temporary closures of tanning businesses. Little is known about how tanners reacted to losing access to tanning businesses.
Objective
This study aimed to analyze Twitter (subsequently rebranded as X) chatter about indoor tanning during the statewide pandemic shutdowns.
Methods
We collected tweets from March 15 to April 30, 2020, and performed a directed content analysis of a random sample of 20% (1165/5811) of tweets from each week. The 2 coders independently rated themes (κ=0.67-1.0; 94%-100% agreement).
Results
About half (589/1165, 50.6%) of tweets were by people unlikely to indoor tan, and most of these mocked tanners or the act of tanning (562/589, 94.9%). A total of 34% (402/1165) of tweets were posted by users likely to indoor tan, and most of these (260/402, 64.7%) mentioned missing tanning beds, often citing appearance- or mood-related reasons or withdrawal. Some tweets by tanners expressed a desire to purchase or use home tanning beds (90/402, 22%), while only 3.9% (16/402) mentioned tanning alternatives (eg, self-tanner). Very few tweets (29/1165, 2.5%) were public health messages about the dangers of indoor tanning.
Conclusions
Findings revealed that during statewide shutdowns, half of the tweets about indoor tanning were mocking tanning bed users and the tanned look, while about one-third were indoor tanners reacting to their inability to access tanning beds. Future work is needed to understand emerging trends in tanning post pandemic.
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