College students with body art: well-being or high-risk behavior?
Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services
|August 14, 2013
Summary
Body art, including tattoos and piercings, is common. While some body art is linked to higher risk behaviors and emotional distress, moderate amounts are not associated with negative well-being.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Body art, such as tattoos and piercings, is increasingly prevalent in society.
- Individuals with body art are often perceived as risk-takers.
- The relationship between body art and high-risk behaviors or emotional distress requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence of body art among college students.
- To investigate the association between the amount and type of body art and self-reported high-risk behaviors and emotional distress.
- To understand the self-identity outcomes related to body art.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 595 college students.
- Participants reported on their body art (tattoos, piercings, intimate piercings).
- Self-views on religion, self-esteem, Need for Uniqueness, risk behaviors, and emotional distress were assessed.
Main Results:
- 21% had tattoos, 33% had lifetime piercings, and 3% had intimate piercings.
- Body art was associated with self-expression, feeling unique, and authenticity.
- Moderate body art (one tattoo, <4 piercings) showed well-being similar to non-art individuals.
- Extensive body art (≥4 tattoos, ≥7 piercings, intimate piercings) correlated with increased risk behaviors and emotional distress.
Conclusions:
- The amount and type of body art are associated with varying levels of risk behaviors and emotional distress.
- Body art can be a form of self-expression and identity.
- Non-profiling and education regarding body art are recommended, as its impact is complex and not solely indicative of underlying issues.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:29Impression Management Techniques I: Managing Appearances
Appearance is a multidimensional aspect of self-presentation that encompasses observable attributes such as clothing, grooming, speech, and nonverbal behavior. These elements are often strategically managed to align with socially constructed expectations in different settings. For instance, individuals tailor their appearance during job interviews, social gatherings, or athletic events to meet the perceived norms of those environments.Contextual Adaptation and Social SignalsThe research...
01:27Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Adolescents from ethnic minority backgrounds face a multifaceted journey in forming their identities, shaped by the intersections of cultural expectations and personal exploration. For these adolescents, identity formation involves not only typical developmental challenges but also navigating the perceptions and attitudes of the majority culture. As they grow, adolescents in ethnic minority groups often become increasingly aware of stereotypes, social biases, and discrimination, all of which...
02:05Self-Presentation: Self-Monitoring and Self-Handicapping
People can go to great lengths to protect their self-image and present themselves in ways that they want others to see them. Sociologist Erving Goffman presented the idea that a person is like an actor on a stage. Calling his theory dramaturgy, Goffman believed that we use “impression management” to present ourselves to others as we hope to be perceived. Each situation is a new scene, and individuals perform different roles depending on who is present (Goffman, 1959). Think about the way you...
01:21Factors Influencing Attraction II: Physical Attraction
Physical attractiveness plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal attraction, influencing first impressions, social interactions, and long-term relationship dynamics. Psychological research consistently demonstrates that attractiveness affects social evaluations and behavioral outcomes in various contexts.Influence on Social InteractionsResearch has shown that individuals perceived as physically attractive often experience preferential treatment in social and professional settings. One...
03:00Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Social psychologists have documented that feeling good about ourselves and maintaining positive self-esteem is a powerful motivator of human behavior (Tavris & Aronson, 2008). In the United States, members of the predominant culture typically think very highly of themselves and view themselves as good people who are above average on many desirable traits (Ehrlinger, Gilovich, & Ross, 2005). Often, our behavior, attitudes, and beliefs are affected when we experience a threat to our...