Social Predictors of Sunscreen and Self-Tanning Product Use

This study investigated social predictors of sunscreen and self-tanning product use among 164 undergraduates. Immediate family members' sunscreen use predicted participants' facial sunscreen use while sunbathing but not their sunscreen use on other areas of the body. In addition, familial support of a tanned appearance was inversely associated with self-tanning product use, whereas romantic partners' support of a tanned appearance was positively associated with this behavior. The results of this study suggest that it may be important to include socially significant others in interventions for reducing the risk of skin cancer in college students.