COLLEGE STUDENTS, TATTOOS, AND SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Sztir/lnaty.-This research examined the association of havine a tattoo and engag-ing in premarital sexual intercourse. Data gathered from a convenience sample of 450 college students indicated that tattooed respondents were substantively and signifi-cantly more likely to be sex~~ally active than nontattooed college students. Tattooed men became sexually active at a significantly earlier age than nontattooed men but no such difference was found between tattooed and nontattooed college women. Research findings indicate that the social behavior of tattooed college students differs in several ways from those who are not tattooed. Greif, Hewitt, and Armstrong (1999) found that college students with tattoos were more likely to abuse alcohol and use illegal drugs than those without tattoos. Drews, Allison, and Probst (2000) reported that male college students with tattoos were more likely to report an arrest history and have more sexual partners than nontattooed men. They also found that tattooed women were more likely to report having used illegal drugs and shoplifted. Burger and Finkel (2002) found that college students with tattoos were more llkely t