Related Experiment Videos
Tattooing and high-risk behavior in adolescents
Timothy A Roberts1, Sheryl A Ryan
1Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Strong Children's Research Center, Golisano Children's Hospital at Strong University of Rochester School of Medicine, Rochester, New York 14642, USA. timothy_roberts@urmc.rochester.edu
Pediatrics
|November 29, 2002
Summary
Adolescent tattoos are linked to risky behaviors. A national survey found tattoos associated with substance use, sexual activity, violence, and school issues, highlighting the need for clinical awareness.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Permanent tattoos are increasingly common among adolescents.
- Understanding the correlates and behavioral associations of adolescent tattooing is crucial for public health initiatives.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the link between adolescent tattoos and a comprehensive range of high-risk behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of tattooed adolescents in a nationally representative sample.
- To evaluate the association between permanent tattoos and various high-risk behaviors in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health Public Use Dataset (1995-1996).
- Involved 6072 adolescents in a nationally representative sample.
- Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations.
Main Results:
- 4.5% of adolescents reported having permanent tattoos.
- Tattooing was associated with older age, single-parent households, and lower socioeconomic status.
- Tattooing was independently associated with sexual intercourse, substance use, violent behaviors, and school problems, even after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and peer substance use.
Conclusions:
- Permanent tattoos in adolescents are strongly associated with multiple high-risk behaviors.
- Clinicians should consider adolescent tattoos as a potential indicator for further assessment of high-risk behaviors during examinations.