From knowledge to action regulation: Modeling the cognitive prerequisites of sun screen use in australian and uk samples

Abstract

Sun protective cognition and behaviour was studied on beaches in Australia (n =113) and in the UK (n = 376). Cognition measures based on social psychological models, including the Theory of Planned Behaviour, were used to construct a model of sunscreen use. Path analysis showed that knowledge, norms, perceived threat, self-efficacy and perceived importance of short-term negative consequences of sun exposure accounted for 44% of the variance in intentions to use sunscreen. A measure of prior planning contributed as much to the prediction of behaviour as did intentions and there was support for both a moderating and a mediating influence of planning on intention. The results support theoretical proposals that post-decisional cognitions should be added to current theoretical models and have implications for intervention design.

Key Words:

• Skin cancer
• sun protection
• sunscreen
• Theory of Planned Behaviour
• planning