Background: Indoor tanning increases the risk of skin cancer and can become addictive. There is little research on indoor tanning cessation interventions. Methods: From 2019-2022, we conducted a clinical trial (n=265) testing a tailored mobile messaging cessation intervention in 18-30-year-old females screened for indoor tanning addiction. Participants were randomized to a control arm receiving standard risk education or a cessation intervention arm receiving tailored mobile messaging for 4 weeks. Main outcomes were indoor tanning cessation, motivation to quit, quit attempts, and indoor tanning cognitions assessed at end of treatment and 3 months later. Results: At end of treatment, intervention participants were more likely to report quitting indoor tanning (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 0.99 - 4.44, p <.05), but there were no significant differences by 3 months (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.82 - 2.87, p = 0.17). Intervention participants who did not quit reported higher motivation to quit than control participants at the end of treatment (M = 3.40, SD = 1.72, M = 2.54, SD=1.63, p’s < 0.01) and 3 months (M = 3.75, SD = 1.93, M = 2.85, SD = 1.85, p’s < 0.01). Conclusions: Tailored mobile messaging successfully impacts indoor tanning cessation behaviors and cognitions in young adult females who meet screening criteria for tanning addiction. Impact: This trial provides preliminary support for the efficacy of a mobile cessation intervention for young adult females who meet screening for tanning addiction. Results indicate additional intervention features should be tested to increase durability of effects.

This content is only available via PDF.

Article PDF first page preview

Article PDF first page preview
You do not currently have access to this content.