Authors: Banerjee, Smita C.¹; Hay, Jennifer L.¹; Greene, Kathryn²

Source: American Journal of Health Behavior, Volume 37, Number 5, September 2013 , pp. 577-586(10)

Publisher: PNG Publications

Abstract:

Objectives: To examine construct and predictive utility of an adapted cognitive rationalization scale for tanning-bed use. Methods: Current/former tanning-bedusing undergraduate students (N = 216; 87.6% females; 78.4% white) at a large northeastern university participated in a survey. A cognitive rationalization for tanning-bed use scale was adapted. Standardized self-report measures of past tanning-bed use, advantages of tanning, perceived vulnerability to photoaging, tanning-bed use dependence, and tanning-bed use intention were also administered. Results: The cognitive rationalization scale exhibited strong construct and predictive validity. Current tanners and tanning-bed-use-dependent participants endorsed rationalizations more strongly than did former tanners and not-tanning-bed-use-dependent participants respectively. Conclusions: Findings indicate that cognitive rationalizations help explain discrepancy between inconsistent cognitions.

Keywords: COGNITIVE DISSONANCE; COLLEGE STUDENTS; INDOOR TANNING; RATIONALIZATIONS

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5993/AJHB.37.5.1

Affiliations: 1: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 2: Department of Communication, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ

Publication date: 2013-09-01

More about this publication?

• The American Journal of Health Behavior seeks to improve the quality of life through multidisciplinary health efforts in fostering a better understanding of the multidimensional nature of both individuals and social systems as they relate to health behaviors.
  
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