Martin S C, Jacobsen P B, Lucas D J, Branch K A, Ferron J M
Department of Psychology and Department of Educational Measurement and Research, University of South Florida, Tampa, 33620, Florida, USA.
Prev Med. 1999 Jul;29(1):37-44. doi: 10.1006/pmed.1999.0500.
Skin cancer remains the most common form of cancer in the United States despite the fact that most cases can be prevented by limiting sun exposure. Childhood and adolescence are periods of life during which prolonged sun exposure is particularly common. Accordingly, promoting sun-protective behaviors during these formative years can be of critical importance in preventing skin cancer. The present study applied the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior to the understanding of children's sunscreen use. Based on these theories, it was hypothesized that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control would be related to intentions to use sunscreen, which, in turn, would be related to actual sunscreen use.
Questionnaires measuring sun-related attitudes, beliefs, perceived control, and intentions were administered to 199 fourth graders (ages 9 to 13, mean = 10.3) attending public schools in Florida. Self-report measures of sun-related behavior were administered to the same subjects 1 month later.
Results of correlational analyses were consistent with study hypotheses. Higher rates of sunscreen use at follow-up were predicted by stronger intentions to use sunscreen assessed 1 month previously. In addition, stronger intentions to use sunscreen were found to be related to more favorable attitudes toward sunscreen use, stronger beliefs that peers and parents favored sunscreen use, and greater perceptions of personal control in using sunscreen. Path and multiple regression analyses identified direct and indirect relationships among study variables that partially confirmed those predicted by the theories and provided support for the use of an expanded model that included perceived behavioral control.
The present study confirmed hypotheses derived from the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior regarding the relation of attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control to sunscreen use among fourth graders. In addition to their theoretical significance, these findings suggest ways to intervene at the individual, classroom, and family levels to promote greater sunscreen use in this age group.
在美国，皮肤癌仍然是最常见的癌症形式，尽管大多数病例可以通过限制阳光照射来预防。儿童期和青少年期是阳光长时间照射尤为常见的人生阶段。因此，在这些成长阶段推广防晒行为对于预防皮肤癌可能至关重要。本研究将理性行动理论和计划行为理论应用于对儿童使用防晒霜情况的理解。基于这些理论，研究假设态度、主观规范和感知行为控制与使用防晒霜的意图相关，而使用防晒霜的意图又与实际使用防晒霜的情况相关。
对佛罗里达州公立学校的199名四年级学生（年龄9至13岁，平均年龄 = 10.3岁）进行问卷调查，测量与阳光相关的态度、信念、感知控制和意图。1个月后，对同一批受试者进行与阳光相关行为的自我报告测量。
相关分析结果与研究假设一致。1个月前评估的使用防晒霜的意图越强，随访时使用防晒霜的比例越高。此外，使用防晒霜的意图越强，与对使用防晒霜更积极的态度、认为同伴和父母支持使用防晒霜的信念越强以及对使用防晒霜的个人控制感越强有关。路径分析和多元回归分析确定了研究变量之间的直接和间接关系，部分证实了理论预测的关系，并为使用包括感知行为控制在内的扩展模型提供了支持。
本研究证实了从理性行动理论和计划行为理论得出的关于四年级学生中态度、主观规范和感知行为控制与使用防晒霜之间关系的假设。除了其理论意义外，这些发现还提出了在个人、课堂和家庭层面进行干预的方法，以促进该年龄组更多地使用防晒霜。
