Skin cancer prevention behaviors among parents of young children

We examined the relation between several relevant variables and parents' (n = 88) skin cancer prevention behaviors on behalf of their young children (ages 3 to 8 years). Results show that stable demographic factors (e.g., child age, socioeconomic status) are most predictive of parents' skin cancer knowledge and that healthier attitudes and perceptions about sun exposure are most predictive of effective sun protection behaviors by parents. These findings highlight the need for awareness and dissemination of sun exposure and skin cancer information as well as for effective prevention behaviors.