Objective: To create skin cancer risk profiles that could be used to predict sun protection among Midwest beachgoers.
Method: Cluster analysis was used with study participants (N=239), who provided information about sun protection motivation and behavior, perceived risk, burn potential, and tan importance. Participants were clustered according to their risk profiles; 4 distinct risk profiles emerged.
Results: Analyses revealed that risk profiles were significantly different on sun protection motivation and behavior and marginally different in terms of sun tanning behavior.
Conclusion: Given the complexity of risk factors, an examination of clusters, rather than factors in isolation, may more accurately depict sun protection behavior.