Tattooing behavior in adolescence. A comparison study
J. A. Farrow, R. H. Schwartz and J. Vanderleeuw
Division of Adolescent Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
We characterize associations with and motivations for tattooing in
adolescents through data from a controlled, three-group comparison of
adolescents from a substance abuse treatment program, detention center, and
private pediatric practice. We surveyed 474 adolescents (12 to 18 years
old) with tattoos (12%) and without tattoos (88%). The private pediatric
practice was the control site. A 34-item questionnaire was used to profile
the three groups and their primary associations with tattooing with respect
to race, drug use, school attendance, school grades, parental marital
status, family income, tattooing by family members, criminal activity, and
involvement with satanic rituals. Tattooing was significantly (P less than
.005) associated with all of these variables in the ways described, as was
knowledge of its association with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
No interventions were made. Tattooing is common in adolescents and is
associated with low self-esteem, delinquency, drug abuse, family and peer
modeling, and participation in satanic rituals. Addressing the behavior as
a health problem is discussed.
