A randomised controlled trial of an online theory-based intervention to improve adult Australians' sun-protective behaviours

• We tested a randomised controlled trial targeting Australian adults' sun safety.
• Intervention participants completed a 20–25 minute online interactive session.
• Intervention materials targeted sun-safe attitudes, norms, and control perceptions.
• Control participants viewed a DVD and fact sheets currently accessible online.
• Significant changes in behaviour were likely due to parallel changes in attitudes.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of a single-session online theory of planned behaviour (TPB)-based intervention to improve sun-protective attitudes and behaviour among Australian adults.MethodsAustralian adults (N = 534; 38.7% males; Mage = 39.3 years) from major cities (80.9%), regional (17.6%) and remote areas (1.5%) were recruited and randomly allocated to an intervention (N = 265) and information only group (N = 267). The online intervention focused on fostering positive attitudes, perceptions of normative support, and control perceptions for sun protection. Participants completed questionnaires assessing standard TPB measures (attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control, intention, behaviour) and extended TPB constructs of group norm (friends, family), personal norm, and image norm, pre-intervention (Time 1) and one week (Time 2) and one month post-intervention (Time 3). Repeated Measures Multivariate Analysis of Variance tested intervention effects across time.ResultsIntervention participants reported more positive attitudes towards sun protection and used sun-protective measures more often in the subsequent month than participants receiving information only. The intervention effects on control perceptions and norms were non-significant.ConclusionsA theory-based online intervention fostering more favourable attitudes towards sun safety can increase sun protection attitudes and self-reported behaviour among Australian adults in the short term.