Exploring Attitudes, Subjective Norms, and Perceived Behavioral Control of Sun-Protective Behaviors in Intercollegiate Student Athletes Open Access
Bannon, Kari Ann (2013)
Published
Abstract
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control of sun-protective behaviors (SPB) affected intention to practice SPB in an intercollegiate student athlete population. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), it examined these factors in depth to understand why intercollegiate student athletes currently report high levels of sun exposure but low levels of sun protection compared to non-athlete peers. A paper and pencil survey and two gender-specific focus groups with male and female tennis players (n=11) were conducted at a private university in Georgia. Data were collected and analyzed for deductive and inductive codes based on the TPB constructs. Overall, women reported higher average intention and subjective norm scores, indicating stronger intention to practice SPB and more supportive norms for practicing SPB by coaches and teammates. However, men indicated higher instrumental attitude scores, indicating the men had more favorable attitudes toward using SPB than the women. Men also indicated more control over and less difficulty with practicing SPB on average than the women, all though women indicated that SPB was less time consuming than men indicated. These findings were supported within the focus groups, with intention relating to burns athletes' or their teammates had experienced or would experience in the coming season. Attitudes toward SPB related to appearance, convenience, SPB and the athletes' ability to play, and avoiding pain from sunburns. Subjective norms were influenced by future health concerns, the normative health behaviors of others, and support from family, coaches and peers concerning SPB. Perceived behavioral control concerned individual control versus institutional control, and what behaviors were possible to practice according to the participants. The idea of context surrounding SPB emerged, specifically related the physical location where sun exposure occurred, the intensity of the sun exposure, and what other behaviors were prioritized over SPB. The results of this study add to the literature for qualitative studies of young adult athletes and intention to practice SPB. Public health practitioners can use the findings here to inform future research and to create more targeted interventions to increase SPB in college athletes.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chapter One: Introduction Statement of the Problem Study Purpose Significance of the Study Theoretical Framework Definition of Terms Chapter Two: Literature Review Introduction Incidence Rates for Skin Cancer in the United States Adolescents and Young Adults Factors Influencing Sun-Protective Behaviors Gender Differences Tanning and Appearance Motivators International Research Theoretical Framework Summary Chapter Three: Methodology Introduction Participants Procedure Qualitative Measures Introductory Questions. Sun-Protective Behaviors (SPB). Intentions to practice SPB. Attitudes about SPB. Subjective Norms of SPB Perceived Behavioral Control of SPB. Quantitative Measures Data Collection Qualitative Analysis Quantitative Analysis Chapter Four: Results Study Population Sun-Protective Behaviors Intention to Practice Sun-Protective Behaviors Attitudes Convenience Appearance SPB and Ability to Play Pain / Avoidance Subjective Norms Future Considerations Health Behaviors Support of Family, Coaches, and Peers Perceived Behavioral Control Context Chapter Five: Discussion Introduction Sun-Protective Behaviors and Intention Attitudes toward Sun-Protective Behaviors Subjective Norms of Sun-Protective Behaviors Perceived Behavioral Control over Sun-Protective Behaviors Context for Sun-Protective Behaviors Limitations Implications Appendices Appendix A: Focus Group Recruitment Flyer Appendix B: Focus Group Recruitment Handout Appendix C: Focus Group Recruitment Email to Coaches Appendix D: Focus Group Participant Informed Consent Appendix E: Focus Group Guide Appendix F: Focus Group Questionnaire ReferencesAbout this Master's Thesis
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