Validity of Self-Reported Sunscreen Use by Parents, Children, and Lifeguards

Abstract

Background-Verbal self-report is the method most often used to assess sunscreen use, but the data may be confounded by recall error and social desirability. Sunscreen swabbing is a non-invasive procedure to objectively assess the presence of sunscreen on the skin. This study examined the agreement between verbal reports of sunscreen use from survey and diary measures and objectively measured sunscreen use.

Skin cancer preventative behaviors in state park workers: a pilot study

“…Furthermore, self-reported data of the current study raise the potential for recall and social desirability biases. Nevertheless, for the measurement of protective clothing and sunscreen usage, previous studies demonstrated that self-report data can be a useful data gathering tool [47,48].…”

Prevalence of sunburn, sun protection, and indoor tanning behaviors among Americans: Review from national surveys and case studies of 3 states

“…People of different age and occupational groups can provide relatively valid self-reports compared with objective measures. 35,36 In the NHIS, a question was added about baseball cap use and showed a card with typical pictures of fully sun-protective hats to improve estimates. 37 Core items to assess sunburn, sun-protection behaviors, and nonsolar tanning were recently published with demonstrated clarity and wide applicability.…”

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

“…It's obvious that younger pupils have not consolidated their attitudes and beliefs, opposite to the adolescents, and therefore they are the most eligible focus group for the implementation of educational programs according to the social learning theory (Bandura, 1997). According to studies, the adolescents do not change easily their attitudes Glanz et al, 2009).…”