The role of risk perception in explaining parental sunscreen use |
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Authors: | Hein de Vries Liesbeth van Osch Kim Eijmael Chris Smerecnik Math Candel |
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Affiliation: | 1. Care and Public Health Research Institute , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands;2. Department of Health Promotion , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands hein.devries@gvo.unimaas.nl;4. Department of Health Promotion , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands;5. Department of Methodology and Statistics , Maastricht University , Maastricht , The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Objective: This study assessed: (1) whether risk perceptions about skin cancer were related to parent's use of sunscreen on their children; (2) which combination of assessments susceptibility and severity best explain parental sunscreen protection behaviours and (3) whether risk perceptions influence behaviour directly through intentions or through attitudes, subjective norms and self-efficacy. Design: Two longitudinal studies assessed sunscreen protection behaviours of parents for their toddlers (N?=?391) and young children (N?=?436). Main outcome measure: Parent's use of sunscreen on their children. Results: Risk perceptions correlated with future sunscreen protection behaviours of parents but were lower than those of attitude, social influence and self-efficacy. Treating susceptibility and severity as an additive function resulted in the best model fit. Risk perceptions were related with future intention and future sunscreen protection behaviour, but the effects were mediated through attitude, social influence and self-efficacy. Conclusions: Our path analyses suggest treating susceptibility and severity as an additive function. A multiplicative model without main effects – although often used – had the poorest fit. Risk perceptions influence behaviour by influencing attitudinal and self-efficacy beliefs. Addressing risk perceptions in health communication programs is relevant when the purpose is to increase awareness and to influence attitudes and self-efficacy. |
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Keywords: | risk perception skin cancer Health Belief Model Protection Motivation Theory I-Change Model |
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