Zonbescherming tijdens de wintersport

This study investigated sun protective behavior during winter sports and its psychosocial determinants. A longitudinal study was conducted among 418 Dutch adults who planned to go on a ski holiday. Participants were asked to fill in a questionnaire before and after their ski trip. In the baseline questionnaire the different psychosocial determinants were measured (i.e. knowledge, risk perception, worry, attitude, social influence, self efficacy, and intention). At follow-up, sunscreen use and frequency of sunburns were measured. The results showed that a substantial part of the respondents did not use sunscreen adequately to protect themselves from the sun (40%), despite their positive intention to protect themselves adequately. Furthermore, one-fourth of the respondents reported at least one sunburn during the past ski holiday. Males and younger people used sunscreen less frequently and got sunburntmore often. Sunscreen use was predicted by a positive attitude, high self-efficacy levels, high intention, high knowledge towards using sunscreen, and high perceived skin cancer risks. The demographic and psychosocial factors explained 33% of the total variance of sunscreen use. Suggestions for future research and interventions are discussed.