Fitch-Martin Arissa R, Menger Lauren M, Loomis Amber D, Hartsough Lauren E S, Henry Kim L
Department of Psychology Mail Stop 1876, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1876, USA.
J Prim Prev. 2018 Aug;39(4):371-386. doi: 10.1007/s10935-018-0515-x.
Risk factors for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, include lifetime sun exposure and a history of sunburns. However, a minority of adolescents report consistent engagement in sun protective behaviors. The few sun protection interventions that have targeted adolescents have had little effect on behavior change, which suggests that a better understanding of the issue, especially from the adolescents' perspective, is needed. Although efforts to qualitatively examine adolescent sun protection have been carried out in a handful of countries, no studies to date have focused on U.S. adolescents. We conducted focus groups with 44 6th-8th grade students in Colorado to explore their sun protection knowledge, attitudes and behaviors. Results supported previous findings that adolescents do not engage in regular skin protection but have experienced the negative consequences of sun exposure (e.g., severe sun burns, and blistering). In addition, participants demonstrated limited and sometimes inaccurate knowledge about the long-term risks of sun exposure, as well as effective methods of sun protection. Barriers to engaging in sun protective behaviors included a desire to tan, inconvenience, and physical discomfort. Facilitators included peer and family encouragement, previous experience with sunburns and/or skin cancer, and knowledge of potential consequences. These findings provide valuable insights that can inform future intervention and research related to sun protection among U.S. adolescents.
黑色素瘤是最致命的皮肤癌形式，其风险因素包括终生日晒和晒伤史。然而，少数青少年报告称持续采取防晒行为。少数针对青少年的防晒干预措施对行为改变几乎没有效果，这表明需要更好地理解这个问题，尤其是从青少年的角度。尽管一些国家已努力对青少年防晒进行定性研究，但迄今为止尚无研究聚焦于美国青少年。我们在科罗拉多州对44名六至八年级学生进行了焦点小组访谈，以探讨他们的防晒知识、态度和行为。结果支持了之前的研究发现，即青少年没有定期进行皮肤防护，但经历过日晒的负面后果（如严重晒伤和起泡）。此外参加者对日晒的长期风险以及有效的防晒方法的了解有限，而且有时不准确。采取防晒行为的障碍包括想要晒黑、不便和身体不适。促进因素包括同伴和家人的鼓励、之前晒伤和/或患皮肤癌的经历以及对潜在后果的了解。这些发现提供了宝贵的见解，可为未来美国青少年防晒方面的干预措施和研究提供参考。
