Abstract
Indoor tanning practices and skin cancer incidence rates are a growing global concern. Although the media has been frequently thought of as a source of positive perceptions about tanned appearances, little research has empirically examined this concern. This chapter explored the relationship between television exposure, and beliefs, attitudes, and intentions regarding indoor tanning. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 365 White American college students at a large, Midwestern university. Results revealed that viewing reality television was positively related to females' beliefs, attitudes, and intentions regarding indoor tanning, and males' intentions towards indoor tanning. Viewing sitcoms was negatively related to males' attitudes towards indoor tanning. This chapter offers correlational evidence of the relationship between genre-specific exposure to television and beliefs, attitudes, and intentions about indoor tanning. Future effort to prevent the risk of indoor tanning should address the role of the media.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Health Risk Communication |
| Publisher | Nova Science Publishers, Inc. |
| Pages | 53-64 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781622575527 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781622575442 |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Health Professions(all)
- Medicine(all)