The influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning behavior: Findings from a multi-city sample - 19/08/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.jaad.2007.06.007

Katherine D. Hoerster, BA ^a,^⁎ , Joni A. Mayer, PhD ^b, Susan I. Woodruff, PhD ^b, Vanessa Malcarne, PhD ^c, Scott C. Roesch, PhD ^c, Elizabeth Clapp, MPH ^b
^a San Diego State University (SDSU)/University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, San Diego, California
^b SDSU Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego, California
^c Department of Psychology, SDSU, San Diego, California

Reprint requests: Katherine D. Hoerster, BA, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92123.

Abstract

Background

Indoor tanning is common among adolescents.

Objective

Our purpose was to examine the influence of parents and peers on adolescent indoor tanning.

Methods

Telephone interviews were conducted with 5274 teen-parent pairs in the 100 largest US cities. Random coefficient regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between parental and peer factors and adolescent indoor tanning.

Results

Teens’ report of whether their parents allow them to tan indoors was the strongest predictor (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 5.6), whereas parents’ modeling (aOR: 1.2), attitudes (aOR: 1.1), and concern about teen tanning (aOR: 1.9) were significantly but less strongly associated. Teens thinking most of their peers like to be tan (aOR: 1.7) and perceived percentage of peers who tan indoors (aOR: 1.0) also were significantly associated.