Derm News: 2007.7(5)

UV light abuse and high-risk tanning behavior among undergraduate college students

Volume 56, Issue 3, Pages 375-379 (March 2007) J Am Acad Dermatol
Solmaz P. Poorsattar, Robin L. Hornung
ABSTRACT

Background

The failure of skin cancer prevention efforts to alter tanning behaviors may be a result of the addictive nature of UV light.

Objectives

This study attempts to determine the prevalence of UV light substance-related disorder (SRD).

Methods

A survey was administered to undergraduate college students. The cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye-opener questionnaire was used to determine existence of SRD.

Results

Of 385 respondents, 12% scored positively on the cut down, annoyed, guilty, eye-opener indicating SRD. Women, indoor tanners, students with tanning family and friends, and frequent tanners were significantly more likely than their peers to score positively.

Limitations

The small size is a limitation of this study as results may not be generalizable to larger populations. There also may be self-report bias.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of college students demonstrate evidence of SRD with respect to UV light.

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The Derm News service provided by the Editorial Consultants of Skin Therapy Letter^© and its founding editor Dr. Stuart Maddin.