Preliminary Evidence for Mediation of the Association Between Acculturation and Sun-Safe Behaviors
Document Type
Article
Department
Community and Global Health (CGU)
Publication Date
2011
Disciplines
Dermatology | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
Objectives To identify and test mediators of the relationship between acculturation and sun-safe behaviors among Latinos in the United States. We hypothesized that the effect of acculturation on use of sunscreen, shade, and sun-protective clothing would be mediated by perceived health status, educational level, access to health care, and contact with social networks regarding health matters.
Design The 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey, implemented by the National Cancer Institute.
Setting Nationwide survey.
Participants A probability-based sample of the US civilian, noninstitutionalized adult population, comprising 496 Latino respondents.
Main Outcome Measures Use of sunscreen, shade, and sun-protective clothing when outdoors on sunny days, assessed by self-report on frequency scales.
Results The positive association between acculturation and sunscreen use and the negative association between acculturation and use of sun-protective clothing were mediated by educational level (P < .05 for both). Perceived health status and contact with social networks regarding health matters were supported as mediators for sunscreen use only (P < .05). Health care access was not supported as a mediator for any of the outcomes.
Conclusions Structural equation models revealed distinct direct and indirect paths between acculturation and each sun-safe practice. Our findings emphasize behavior-specific mediated associations and could inform sun safety programming for Latinos with low and high levels of acculturation. The models support educational level, contact with social networks regarding health matters, and perceived health status as mediators primarily for sunscreen use. Future research should test different mediators for use of shade or sun-protective clothing.
Rights Information
© 2017 American Medical Association
Terms of Use & License Information
DOI
10.1001/archdermatol.2011.145
Recommended Citation
Andreeva VA, Cockburn MG, Yaroch AL, Unger JB, Rueda R, Reynolds KD. Preliminary evidence for mediation of the association between acculturation and sun-safe. Behaviors. Archives of Dermatology 147(7):814-819, 2011
