Tanning addiction and psychopathology: Further evaluation of anxiety disorders and substance abuse

Background Little research has investigated the correlates of problematic tanning and tanning dependence. Objective We sought to identify characteristics associated with problematic tanning and tanning dependence, and to evaluate simultaneously the associations of variables as correlates of problematic tanning and tanning dependence. Method To assess tanning-related characteristics, psychopathology, and demographics, we administered questionnaires to 533 tanning university students; 31% met criteria for tanning dependence, 12% for problematic tanning. Results Both problematic tanning and tanning dependence were significantly associated with being female ( P < .001 and P < .001, respectively) and with screening positive on measures of obsessive-compulsive ( P < .001 and P = .005, respectively) and body dysmorphic ( P = .019 and P < .001, respectively) disorders. Frequency of tanning in the past month was the strongest correlate of problematic tanning ( P