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
References
About this Master's Thesis
Rights statement
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