Tattoos and body piercings as indicators of adolescent risk-taking behaviors

ABSTRACT. Purpose. This study assessed tattoos and body piercings as markers of risk-taking behaviors in adolescents. Methods. A 58-question survey, based on the 1997 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey, was offered to all adolescent beneficia-ries that came to the Adolescent Clinic. The survey con-tained standard Youth Risk Behavior Survey questions that inquire about eating behavior, violence, drug abuse, sexual behavior, and suicide. Questions about tattoos and body piercings were added for the purposes of this study. Results. Participants with tattoos and/or body pierc-ings were more likely to have engaged in risk-taking behaviors and at greater degrees of involvement tha