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Article
Persisting Effects of a Social Media Campaign to Prevent Indoor Tanning: A Randomized Trial
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : A Publication of The American Association For Cancer Research, Cosponsored By The American Society of Preventive Oncology
  • David B. Buller, Klein Buendel, Inc., Golden, Colorado.
  • Sherry Pagoto, University of Connecticut
  • Kimberly L. Henry, Colorado State University
  • Katie Baker, Department of Community and Behavioral Health, College of Public Health, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee.
  • Barbara J. Walkosz, Klein Buendel, Inc.
  • Joel Hillhouse, East Tennessee State University
  • Julia Berteletti, Klein Buendel, Inc.
  • Jessica Bibeau, University of Connecticut
  • Alishia Kinsey, Klein Buendel, Inc.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2022
Description

BACKGROUND: A social media campaign for mothers aimed at reducing indoor tanning (IT) by adolescent daughters reduced mothers' permissiveness toward IT in an immediate posttest. Whether the effects persisted at 6 months after the campaign remains to be determined. METHODS: Mothers (N = 869) of daughters ages 14-17 in 34 states without bans on IT by minors were enrolled in a randomized trial. All mothers received an adolescent health campaign over 12 months with posts on preventing IT (intervention) or prescription drug misuse (control). Mothers completed a follow-up at 18 months post-randomization measuring IT permissiveness, attitudes, intentions, communication, and behavior, and support for state bans. Daughters (n = 469; 54.0%) just completed baseline and follow-up surveys. RESULTS: Structural equation modeling showed that intervention-group mothers were less permissive of IT by daughters [unstandardized coefficient, -0.17; 95% confidence interval (CI), -0.31 to -0.03], had greater self-efficacy to refuse daughter's IT requests (0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.29) and lower IT intentions themselves (-0.18; 95% CI, -0.35 to -0.01), and were more supportive of bans on IT by minors (0.23; 95% CI, 0.02-0.43) than control-group mothers. Intervention-group daughters expressed less positive IT attitudes than controls (-0.16; 95% CI, 0.31 to -0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The social media campaign may have had a persisting effect of convincing mothers to withhold permission for daughters to indoor tan for 6 months after its conclusion. Reduced IT intentions and increased support for bans on IT by minors also persisted among mothers. IMPACT: Social media may increase support among mothers to place more restrictions on IT by minors.

Citation Information
David B. Buller, Sherry Pagoto, Kimberly L. Henry, Katie Baker, et al.. "Persisting Effects of a Social Media Campaign to Prevent Indoor Tanning: A Randomized Trial" Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : A Publication of The American Association For Cancer Research, Cosponsored By The American Society of Preventive Oncology Vol. 31 Iss. 4 (2022) p. 885 - 892 ISSN: 1055-9965
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/joel-hillhouse/66/