Date of Award

Spring 5-4-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Health Sciences

College

College of Health and Human Performance

First Advisor

Michael S. Dunn, PhD

Abstract/Description

The purpose of this study was to access the relationship between sun protective behavior, health beliefs, attitudes, and norms of sun exposure among college athletes. An electronic survey was provided to student athletes for about two weeks in October of 2023. Prior to student participation the Institutional Review Board approved the protocol and data collection. The survey was sent to the students by the athletic director through an app called Teamworks that connects to all the athletes at Coastal Carolina. The majority of students who took the survey reported they did not wear sunscreen in past games/practices. Of those who felt susceptible to skin cancer, believed their lifestyle increased their risk of skin cancer, and felt reapply sunscreen was not an inconvenience were more likely to wear sunscreen during their games/practices. Those who felt susceptible to skin cancer due to their lifestyle and who reported their friends wore SPF 30 sunscreen were more likely to get sunburnt at games/practices. This study further shows the importance of informing college athletes about sunscreen protection and skin cancer awareness. There is a need for more encouragement and information spread about this topic to have a greater chance at preventing skin cancer.

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