Is beauty worth the risk? Self-confidence is the key motivating factor driving tanning bed use among undergraduate students at South Dakota universities

Jazmin Newton; Lauren Ochoa; Aly Reinschmidt; John Vassar; Allen Wellman; Minga Vargas; DenYelle Kenyon; Marcus Frohm

doi:10.1097/JW9.0000000000000128

Is beauty worth the risk? Self-confidence is the key motivating factor driving tanning bed use among undergraduate students at South Dakota universities

Int J Womens Dermatol. 2024 Apr 2;10(2):e128. doi: 10.1097/JW9.0000000000000128. eCollection 2024 Jun.

Authors

Jazmin Newton¹, Lauren Ochoa¹, Aly Reinschmidt¹, John Vassar¹, Allen Wellman¹, Minga Vargas², DenYelle Kenyon^{1

2}, Marcus Frohm¹

Affiliations

¹ Department of Internal Medicine, University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine, Vermillion, South Dakota.
² Office of Diversity and Inclusion, University of South Dakota School of Health Sciences, Vermillion, South Dakota.

Abstract

Background: Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is a leading risk factor for developing all types of skin cancer. In the United States, an estimated 7.8 million young adults engage in indoor tanning.

Objective: Here, it is hypothesized that certain populations of students at undergraduate universities, namely sorority members, have a greater frequency of tanning bed usage than other groups of students and that regardless of sorority status, the most important motivating factor will be the intent to enhance one's appearance.

Methods: Undergraduate students at 2 state-funded universities were recruited for participation in this institutional review board-exempt survey via distribution to e-mail addresses and social media accounts affiliated with student organizations/clubs.

Results: Among all respondents, the most common motivating factors for tanning bed use were the perception of improved self-appearance and boosted self-confidence. Female sorority members were more likely to use tanning beds and also more likely to report being motivated by enhanced appearance and self-confidence, than their female counterparts who were not sorority members.

Limitations: The sample size (n = 321) and population of this study allows data to only be generalizable to surrounding states with similar demographics. The findings of this study are subject to recall bias as the data is self-reported.

Conclusion: Tanning bed use remains a popular practice among young people. Understanding motivations for tanning bed use among populations at increased risk of partaking in this behavior allows for educating these groups on the risks associated with ultraviolet radiation exposure. It is crucial that providers continue to promote skin health and take steps to dissuade detrimental practices and possible habit-forming behaviors at the individual and state levels.

Keywords: advocacy; epidemiology; melanoma; public health; skin cancer; survey; tanning; tanning beds; ultraviolet (UV) light.