Surveying Motivations to Use Tanning Beds Among Undergraduate Students at South Dakota Universities

Exposure to UV radiation is one of the biggest risk factors for developing all types of skin cancer. It is estimated that in the United States, 7.8 million young adults engage in indoor tanning. It is hypothesized that certain populations of students at undergraduate universities, such as sorority participants, have greater frequency of tanning bed usage than other populations and that regardless of sorority status, the most important motivating factor will be the intent to enhance one's appearance.

This study was granted exemption from the USD Institutional Review Board (IRB). Study participants were recruited through survey distribution to email addresses affiliated with undergraduate student organizations/clubs. Inclusion criteria were undergraduate student status at The University of South Dakota (USD) or South Dakota State University (SDSU), and age 18+. Survey development included interviews of dermatologists and public health professionals. Qualtrics database was used for both anonymous data collection and storage.

Overall, 95 of 321 participants identified as being in a sorority. When asked to identify motivations for tanning bed use, the 3 highest ranked responses of participants in a sorority were: "I think I look better when I am tan", "I tan to look better for special events", and "I have more self-confidence when I am tan" with 56.47%, 48.65%, and 60.71% of participants answering, "strongly agree", respectively. There were 147 participants that identified as not being in a sorority. The 3 highest ranked responses for motivations for indoor tanning use were the same as those in a sorority with 40.82%, 26.00%, and 40.15% of participants answering "strongly agree" to the above options, respectively.

The data does support the hypothesis that the most important motivating factor for young adults to use tanning beds is one's appearance. Understanding motivations for tanning bed use among at risk populations such as undergraduate students or more specifically, those participating in sororities, allows opportunity for education on the risks associated with UV radiation exposure.