Abstract
Planning is supposed to mediate between intention and behavior. The study examines whether such a mediation also exists in the context of sunscreen use. Moreover, the question is raised whether health risk perception might moderate such a mechanism. A longitudinal online study was conducted with three measurement points in time. Sunscreen use, intention, planning, and risk perception were assessed. A sample of 154 individuals was analyzed by hierarchical regression procedures in terms of moderated mediation. Planning partially mediated the intention-behavior relationship, and risk perception operated as a moderator. The moderator effect was negative, implying that low risk perception in conjunction with high intention was a prerequisite for planning, and, thus, for the mediation by planning. Low risk perception reflects health-specific optimism which can be a facilitator of health behavior change, in this case the change of sunscreen use from Time 1 to Time 3.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 392-398 |
Journal | Journal of Behavioral Medicine |
Volume | 33 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Oct 2010 |
Keywords
- Planning
- Intention
- Risk perception
- Sunscreen use
- Health-related optimism