Physical Appearance Reasons for Tanning Scale (PARTS)
Measures appearance-based motivations for tanning, reasons for not tanning, sociocultural influences, and perceived threat of skin cancer.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Physical Appearance Reasons for Tanning Scale (PARTS) was developed by Guy Cafri, J. Kevin Thompson, Mary Roehrig, Patricia van den Berg, Paul B. Jacobsen, & Susan Stark (2006). It is designed to measure Appearance-based tanning motives and influences. The scale is intended for use with Adults and adolescents.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 51 items organized into 11 factors/subscales: Appearance Reasons to Tan – General, Appearance Reasons to Tan – Acne, Appearance Reasons to Tan – Body Shape, Appearance Reasons Not to Tan – Immediate Skin Damage, Appearance Reasons Not to Tan – Aging, Sociocultural Influences – Media, Sociocultural Influences – Friends, Sociocultural Influences – Family, Sociocultural Influences – Significant Other, Perceived Threat – Perceived Susceptibility, Perceived Threat – Perceived Severity.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance Reasons to Tan – General | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 | 9 |
| Appearance Reasons to Tan – Acne | 10,11,12,13 | 4 |
| Appearance Reasons to Tan – Body Shape | 14,15,16,17,18,19 | 6 |
| Appearance Reasons Not to Tan – Immediate Skin Damage | 20,21,22,23,24,25 | 6 |
| Appearance Reasons Not to Tan – Aging | 26,27,28 | 3 |
| Sociocultural Influences – Media | 29,30,31,32,33,34,35 | 7 |
| Sociocultural Influences – Friends | 36,37,38,39 | 4 |
| Sociocultural Influences – Family | 40,41,42 | 3 |
| Sociocultural Influences – Significant Other | 43,44 | 2 |
| Perceived Threat – Perceived Susceptibility | 45,46,47,48 | 4 |
| Perceived Threat – Perceived Severity | 49,50,51 | 3 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 1 = Definitely Disagree, 2 = Somewhat Disagree, 3 = Neither Agree nor Disagree, 4 = Somewhat Agree, 5 = Definitely Agree.
The scale includes 1 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.