Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 56, Issue 3 , Pages 391-397, March 2007

Examination of mediating variables in a partner assistance intervention designed to increase performance of skin self-examination

  • June K. Robinson, MD

      Affiliations

    • From the Department of Dermatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: June K. Robinson, MD, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, 132 E Delaware Pl No. 5806, Chicago, IL 60611.
  • ,
  • Rob Turrisi, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Biobehavioral Health and Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University
  • ,
  • Jerod Stapleton, BS

      Affiliations

    • Biobehavioral Health and Prevention Research Center, The Pennsylvania State University

Accepted 10 October 2006. published online 12 December 2006.

Chicago, Illinois, and University Park, Pennyslvania

Objective

We sought to identify mediating variables that may explain the increased effectiveness of a partner-learning skin self-examination (SSE) skills training program over a solo-learning SSE skills training program in a sample of patients at risk for melanoma.

Methods

We conducted a randomized control design with pretest, immediate posttest, and 4-month follow-up measures in a clinical ambulatory care office of a hospital. In all, 130 participants were drawn from a melanoma hospital registry and randomly assigned to a solo-learning control group (n = 65) or a partner-learning group (n = 65). Participants either received the skills training individually in the solo-learning control group or in the partner-learning group in which a partner was actively involved in the training. The intervention consisted of a 10-minute educational presentation and skills training session about the ABCDE rule of early melanoma detection. The main outcome measure was SSE performance as measured by use of a body map. The mediators measured included attitudes toward SSE, self-efficacy/confidence in the ability to effectively perform SSE, comfort with having a partner help with SSE, perceived melanoma/skin cancer risk, concern about developing skin cancer/skin damage, and melanoma/skin cancer knowledge.

Results

Attitudes toward SSE, self-efficacy, comfort with having someone help with SSE, and concern about developing sun-damaged skin were found to be significant mediators.

Limitations

Study limitations include sample size, the evaluation of short-term program effects, and partner relationship variables that could influence the effectiveness of partner learning.

Conclusions

Involvement of a partner in the SSE skills training was more effective than solo learning because of the changes in the above-mentioned mediators. Future SSE skills training programs could benefit through using approaches that produce changes in key variables such as increasing attitudes toward SSE, increasing self-efficacy beliefs in the ability to perform SSE, and making participants feel confident in their ability to examine their skin.

 

 Supported by 5R21 CA-103833-02 from the National Cancer Institute (Dr Robinson).Conflicts of interest: None identified.

PII: S0190-9622(06)02858-1

doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2006.10.028

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
Volume 56, Issue 3 , Pages 391-397, March 2007