The Relationship between Australian Students' Perceptions of Parental Behavior, School Policies, and Sun Protection Behaviors

Abstract

A large sample of students (N = 3,655) in grades seven, nine, and 11 from a cross-sectional sample of 55 Queensland (Australia) schools were surveyed in 1991 about their knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors in relation to protection from the sun. Students' self-reported sun protective behaviors on schooldays and Saturdays were compared to student reported sun protective behaviors of both their parents (or equivalent parent figure) for each grade level. Results from a logistic regression analysis indicated significant associations between student reports of their sun protective behavior (hat use and sunscreen use) and grade level, gender, day of the week, and mother's sun protective behavior. The relation between student reports of parental behavior, school environment, and student sun protective behavior is discussed.

Support for this work was provided by the Cancer Prevention Research Program of the Queensland Health Department to the Cancer Prevention Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, and is gratefully acknowledged. Thanks to the students and staff of the 26 primary schools and the 29 secondary schools who took part in the survey. The assistance of Maxine Clark, Michele Dixon, Natalie Paul, and Lynette Saeck in preparation of this article is appreciated.