Development of a scale to assess multidimensional aspects of unintentional tanning

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure remains a key contributor to skin cancer risk, yet many young adults engage in tanning, both deliberately and unintentionally. Unintentional tanning, or tanning without explicit intent, is common but psychologically understudied. This study developed and validated a measure to assess cognitive, emotional, and sociocultural components of unintentional tanning. Sixty-one items were generated from qualitative interviews and tested in a national online sample of young adults (N = 610; ages 18–29) with diverse skin types. Factor analysis yielded a 25-item scale with 4 reliable dimensions: tanning just happens (normative beliefs), stroke of luck (positive affect), unwanted results (negative affect), and appearance and culture (social identity and influence). The measure revealed distinct associations with behavioral risk factors and demographic characteristics, indicating the multifaceted psychological nature of tanning. This scale reflects cognitive, affective, and sociocultural dimensions of unintentional tanning, highlighting the emotional responses and appearance-related beliefs related to UVR exposure.