Tanning addiction: conceptualisation, assessment, and correlates

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Andreassen, C.S., Pallesen, S., Torsheim, T., Demetrovics, Z. and Griffiths, M.D. ORCID: 0000-0001-8880-6524, 2018. Tanning addiction: conceptualisation, assessment, and correlates. British Journal of Dermatology, 179 (2), pp. 345-352. ISSN 0007-0963

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Official URL: http://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.16480

Abstract

Background: Research into problematic tanning (or 'tanning addiction') has markedly increased over the past few years. Although several excessive tanning instruments exist, most of these are psychometrically poor, not theoretically anchored, and have mainly been used on small samples.

Objective: Against this background, a new tanning addiction scale was developed based on a specific theoretical approach utilising core addiction criteria.

Methods: A scale comprising seven items (i.e. salience/craving, mood modification, tolerance, withdrawal, conflict, relapse/loss of control, and problems) was administered online to a cross-sectional convenience sample of 23,537 adults (M age=35.8 years, SD=13.3), together with an assessment of demographic factors, the five-factor model of personality, and symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and depression.

Results: A confirmatory factor analysis showed that a one-factor model showed an optimal fit with the data collected (RMSEA=.050 [90% CI=.047–.053], CFI=.99, TLI=.99). High factor loadings (.781–.905, all p<.001) and coefficient omega indicator of reliability (ω=.941 [95% CI=.939–.944]) were also found using the new scale. In a multiple linear regression analysis, tanning addiction was positively associated with being female, not being in a relationship, extroversion, neuroticism, anxiety and obsessive-compulsiveness. It was also found that educational level, intellect/openness and depression were inversely associated with tanning addiction.

Conclusions: The new scale, Bergen Tanning Addiction Scale (BTAS), showed good psychometric properties, and is the first scale to fully conceptualise tanning addiction within a contemporary addiction framework. Given this, the BTAS may potentially assist future clinical practice in providing appropriate patient care, prevention and disease management.

Item Type:

Journal article

Publication Title:

British Journal of Dermatology

Creators:

Andreassen, C.S., Pallesen, S., Torsheim, T., Demetrovics, Z. and Griffiths, M.D.

Publisher:

Wiley-Blackwell

Date:

August 2018

Volume:

179