Bakrania, Jay (2021) Sun-Protective Behaviours of Caregivers for Children Aged 0 Months to 6 Years: A Survey and Diary Study. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Queensland holds the highest number of skin cancer incidences in the world. Evidence shows the links between childhood sun exposure and development of skin cancer in adulthood. Up to 64% of children experience sunburn each year and are predominantly reliant on caregivers in applying sun-protection. The aim of this study is to examine the psychosocial factors affecting sun-protective behaviours of caregivers for children aged between 0 months to 6 years, using the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Participants (N = 145) of this study were predominantly Caucasian (71.7%), biological mothers (82.7%). Participants were required to complete an online survey measuring the TPB constructs, attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control and intention, followed by a four-day diary to measure the relationship between intention and behaviour. The diary was completed by 18 participants. A hierarchical regression found TPB to be an effective model in predicting intention to perform sun-protective behaviours. Subjective norm was the strongest predictor, followed by perceived behavioural control and attitude. Due to a small sample completing the diary, the relationship between intention and behaviour was unable to be examined. A content analysis of diary entries found clothing and sunscreen are the most common form of protection utilised by caregivers. Caregivers of children aged 0 months to 2 years and 11 months are likely to face more child-focused difficulties in implementing sun-protection. The study highlights the need for parent-focused interventions in mitigating harmful sun-exposure of young children and implementing effective sun-safe behaviours.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
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| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Carla Jeffries |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 21 Jul 2025 03:23 |
| Last Modified: | 21 Jul 2025 03:23 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Skin cancer ; children ; caregiver ; sun-protective behaviours ; theory of planned behaviour |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52134 |
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