Romantic Relationship Status and Gender Differences in Sun Tanning Attitudes and Behaviors of U.S. College Students

Terry F. Pettijohn II, Terry F. Pettijohn, Alexandra G. Gilbert

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DOI: 10.4236/psych.2011.22012                

Abstract

Male and female college students (n = 353) involved in varying degrees of romantic relationships responded to a questionnaire investigating sun tanning attitudes and behaviors. Females were predicted to engage in sun tanning more frequently and have more positive attitudes about sun tanning than males. Those students who were dating were also predicted to engage in more sun tanning behaviors and have more positive attitudes regarding tanning compared to students who were not dating, in committed romantic relationships, or married. Results supported these predictions overall. Females, and college students who were dating, engaged in more risky sun tanning behaviors and are therefore especially at risk for health related consequences of sun tanning.

Keywords

Sun Tanning, Gender Differences, Romantic Relationships, Skin Cancer

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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