Combining a UV photo intervention with self-affirmation or self-compassion exercises: implications for skin protection
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Combining a UV photo intervention with self‑affirmation or self‑compassion exercises: implications for skin protection Charlotte J. Hagerman1 · Michelle L. Stock1 · Brianne K. Molloy1 · Janine B. Beekman1 · William M. P. Klein2 · Nicole Butler1
Received: 10 May 2019 / Accepted: 24 September 2019 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2019
Abstract The current study tested whether self-affirmation or self-compassion exercises, shown to increase message acceptance, could maximize the benefit of a UV photo intervention on skin protection cognitions. College women (N = 167) were randomly assigned to: (1) view a UV photo or Black and White (no-UV) photo of their face and (2) write a self-affirmation, self-compassion, or neutral essay. Participants who saw their UV photo reported healthier cognitions, including greater perceived vulnerability and intentions to protect skin. Within the self-compassion condition, participants who saw their UV photo were also more likely to take the sunscreen packets offered. However, neither selfaffirmation nor self-compassion enhanced the effect of the UV photo. Within the UV condition, women who completed these exercises had similar (and occasionally less healthy) cognitions and behavior as those who wrote a neutral essay. The benefits of self-affirmation and self-compassion in conjunction with health messages may be limited to higher risk groups who experience more message defensiveness than the current sample. Keywords Self-affirmation · Self-compassion · UV photography · UV intervention · Skin protection
* Michelle L. Stock [email protected] 1
George Washington University, 2125 G St. NW, Room 306, Washington, DC 20052, USA
2
Behavioral Research Program, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
Introduction Skin cancer is by far the most prevalent form of cancer, and rates of both melanoma and non-melanoma (i.e., basal and squamous cell carcinoma) diagnoses are increasing (Mohan & Chang, 2014; Skin Cancer Foundation, 2019). Fortunately, skin cancer is highly preventable, and individuals can reduce their risk through skin protection behaviors such as using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, or seeking shade (Prevent Cancer Foundation, 2019). Young adults report the lowest rates of skin protection behaviors and the most sunburns (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018; Kasparian et al., 2009; Buller et al., 2011), suggesting that young adulthood is a critical time to implement interventions that encourage healthier skin protection. Because skin protection cognitions and behavior differ by gender, interventions in this domain should be developed and tested separately for men and women (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2018; Kasparian et al., 2009; Haluza et al., 2015). Women engage in more intentional tanning and report a stronger desire to have tanned skin (Holman & Watson, 2013). Further, women’s rates of skin cancer are increasing faster than men’s, almost doubling in the last 30 years (Mohan & Chang, 2014). However, wo
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