Effects of an appearance-focussed versus a health-focussed intervention on men's attitudes towards UV exposure

Abstract

This study investigated men’s experiences of an appearance-focussed, facial-ageing, intervention designed to increase sun protection intentions, compared to a health literature intervention. Seventy men took part, with thirty-five in each condition. The men completed questionnaires at baseline, post-intervention and six months post-intervention. There was a significant improvement in sun benefit attitudes, sun risk attitudes and sun protection intentions in both groups, although there was no significant difference between the conditions. At six months followup, however, there was a significant difference in sun protection use, with those in the facial-ageing intervention condition using significantly more protection. It is suggested that in the future, interventions that incorporate both health and appearance factors are designed, in order to utilise the strengths of both interventions.