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Tanning Stories: Truth and Consequences: A Narrative Examination of Indoor Tanning

Crooks, Vicki L.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1405013223

Abstract Details

2014, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, Communication Studies (Communication).
Indoor tanning is a 5 billion dollar a year industry. The individuals and organizations who are a part of the indoor tanning industry promote indoor tanning as a healthy natural activity. However, in the medical community, indoor tanning is recognized as dangerous, a leading cause of melanoma and other skin cancers. These conflicting organizational narratives are part of a larger national conversation regarding the practice of indoor tanning. Both sides in these debates seek to inform and influence public policy and personal behaviors. This is an examination of tanning stories, from the meta-level organizational narratives, to the meso-level narratives of influential individuals and political advocates, and the micro-level narratives of tanners who became melanoma patients. Melanoma rates are rising and so are the number of cases diagnosed in young women who have a history of indoor tanning. Using physician and patient interviews, I examine the use of narratives at every level, to support or change beliefs about the benefits and dangers of indoor tanning, to impact legislation, and to influence behavioral choices. Using patient stories, it is possible to consider the role of narratives in health decisions and rationalizations. Ultimately, it is apparent that positive applications of narrative in medicine support relational processes, and becomes a means to identity change.
William Rawlins (Advisor)
Lynn Harter (Committee Member)
Brittany Peterson (Committee Member)
Joseph Bianco (Committee Member)
303 p.
Communication; Health
Indoor tanning stories; Health narratives of tanning and melanoma; Narratives and anti-tanning advocacy; narratives and identity

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Crooks, V. L. (2014). Tanning Stories: Truth and Consequences: A Narrative Examination of Indoor Tanning [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1405013223

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Crooks, Vicki. Tanning Stories: Truth and Consequences: A Narrative Examination of Indoor Tanning. 2014. Ohio University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1405013223.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Crooks, Vicki. "Tanning Stories: Truth and Consequences: A Narrative Examination of Indoor Tanning." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ohiou1405013223

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ohiou1405013223
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© 2014, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Ohio University and OhioLINK.