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. 2013 Sep;37(5):577-86.
doi: 10.5993/AJHB.37.5.1.

Cognitive rationalizations for tanning-bed use: a preliminary exploration

Smita C Banerjee  1 , Jennifer L Hay, Kathryn Greene
Affiliations

Cognitive rationalizations for tanning-bed use: a preliminary exploration

Smita C Banerjee et al. Am J Health Behav. 2013 Sep.

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Final Factor Structure for the Cognitive Rationalization of Tanning-Bed Use (10 questions Scale) Note. All standardized weights reported in the model are significant at the p < .001 level.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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