Mood changes after indoor tanning among college women: associations with psychiatric/addictive symptoms

Abstract

Indoor tanning (IT) has been linked with psychiatric and addictive symptoms, and frequent tanning may indicate tanning dependence (addiction). The current study evaluated the effects of an IT episode on mood states and the association of these effects with psychiatric and addictive symptoms among young adult female indoor tanners. One-hundred thirty-nine female university students aged 18-25 years who had indoor tanned completed an online survey including the Positive and Negative Affects Scales and a standardized psychiatric interview (the MINI International Neuropsychiatric Interview) via telephone. Psychiatric and addictive symptoms were relatively common among these young adult female indoor tanners. Overall, participants reported significant decreases in both negative (upset, scared, irritable, nervous, jittery, afraid) and positive (feeling interested) mood states after their most recent tanning episode. Multivariable linear regression analyses showed that more frequent indoor tanning in the past month and symptoms of illicit drug use disorders were associated with decreases in negative mood, and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder were associated with a decrease in feeling interested. In summary, indoor tanners report relatively high rates of psychiatric and substance use symptoms, including symptoms of tanning dependence, and indoor tanning appears to alter mood. Women with certain substance use and psychiatric characteristics may be more vulnerable to such mood changes after tanning indoors. Further research is needed to clarify the relationships among these variables.

Indoor Tanning Dependence in Young Adult Women

“…The strength of association was greater than studies reporting comorbidities associated with non-dependent tanning behavior and comparable to those reported for indoor tanning dependence (18, 20, 54). This evidence, in conjunction with research indicating indoor tanning can produce mood-enhancing effects (11, 14, 15), suggests a potential mechanism whereby young women experiencing depressed mood or other psychological distress may indoor tan because it alleviates such symptoms. However, there remains a need for research to understand how psychiatric comorbidity, affect-oriented motives, and indoor tanning dependence unfold over time.…”

“…Exposure to UV light among frequent tanners has been shown to activate reward-based brain regions (13) and to produce increased dopamine response (11) similar to other forms of addiction. Frequent indoor tanners have also been observed to endorse responses characteristic of drug exposure after tanning, such as improved mood and euphoria (14, 15). …”

“…Use of other abusable substances and psychiatric comorbidities are more prevalent among those screening positive for tanning dependence in some studies. However, most have focused on convenience samples of college students (9, 14, 15, 17–22), excluding young adults who may indoor tan but are not enrolled in a college/university. Other research has examined tanning dependence in skin cancer patients through retrospective reports subject to recall biases (23).…”

Review of interventions to reduce ultraviolet tanning: Need for treatments targeting excessive tanning, an emerging addictive behavior.

“…Other interventions were delivered to male and female adult beachgoers given their likely engagement in intentional UVR exposure at the beach (Mahler, Kulik, Gibbons, Gerrard, & Harrell, 2003; Mahler, Kulik, Gerrard, & Gibbons, 2006; Pagoto, McChargue, & Fuqua, 2003; Pagoto, Schneider, Oleski, & Bodenlos, 2010). Heckman and colleagues’ (2016) web-based intervention targeted young adults between 18 and 25 years old (66% women) who were at elevated risk for skin cancer (e.g., light hair or eye color, sun sensitivity, sunburn history) based on a brief screening assessment. Although excessive tanners would be eligible for these studies, most participants reported infrequent tanning at baseline.…”

“…Tanners receive positive comments on their appearance from peers and family members and believe that tanning leads to greater social acceptance and is positively valued among peers (Banerjee, Campo, & Greene, 2008; Noar et al, 2014). Some tanners also find the experience of tanning to be relaxing and report mood-enhancing properties of UVR exposure (Heckman, Darlow, Cohen-Filipic, & Kloss, 2016; Noar et al, 2014). The reinforcing effects of tanning may explain why some individuals tan far more frequently than required to acquire and maintain a cosmetic effect.…”