172. #Paleshaming: Social Media Messages And Adolescents ’ Perceptions

Indoor UV tanning (IUVT) increases the risk of skin cancer and is prominent among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), particularly among white non-Hispanic females. AYAs derive attitudes and intentions towards health behaviors, including IUVT, from social media. AYA motivations for IUVT include improved attractiveness that may be expressed or experienced as embarrassment or shame about paleness. The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to 1) examine pale shaming social media messages by IUVT salons, and 2) understand perspectives of at-risk females in interpreting these social media messages.
Source: Journal of Adolescent Health - Category: Child Development Authors: Tags: Research Poster Presentation I: Health Promotion and Prevention Source Type: research