Body art like tattoos and piercings have become increasingly popular among teenagers and young adults around the world.
A new study from Chile suggests these body modifications may serve as red flags for risky behaviors like drug and alcohol abuse.
Key Facts:
- 30% of Chilean high school students have piercings, while only 1.7% have tattoos.
- Teens with tattoos and piercings were more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
- Those with body art also tended to be sexually active and have psychiatric disorders.
- Females were more likely to have piercings while location didn’t affect tattoo rates.
- Most teens acquired their tattoos and piercings from informal avenues like friends rather than professionals.
Source: Rev Med Chil.
Piercings Far More Common Than Tattoos
Body art has become an increasingly common way for young people to express themselves.
But some types of modification are more popular than others.
In a survey of over 1,300 Chilean high school students, 30.6% said they had piercings.
Comparatively only 1.7% had tattoos.
Researchers say the low tattoo rate may be related to the young sample age.
Most participants were between 14 and 16 years old.
Tattoos tend to become more common as teens get older.
Surveys of young adults 18-22 years old in other countries have found tattoo rates around 5-10%.
The popularity of piercings versus tattoos also varied by gender.
43.1% of females had piercings compared to just 22.9% of males.
But there was no significant difference in tattoo rates between sexes.
Tattoos & Piercings Linked to Risky Behaviors
While body modifications are often just a form of self-expression, the study found some concerning connections.
Teens with tattoos and piercings were more likely to engage in behaviors like alcohol and drug use and risky sexual activity.
Specifically, those with body art had higher rates of:
- Alcohol use
- Tobacco smoking
- Illegal drug use, predominantly marijuana
- Early sexual activity
- Multiple sexual partners
In addition, teens with tattoos and piercings had increased prevalence of:
- Psychiatric disorders
- Criminal records
Researchers say the correlations were statistically significant in all cases.
Tattoos More Common in Lower SES Areas
Another key finding was geography.
Students from lower socioeconomic areas of Santiago had higher rates of tattoos and piercings.
In the southeast section of the city, which skews middle and lower-middle class, 3.3% of students had tattoos.
That’s compared to just 0.5% in the higher income northeast area.
Piercing rates showed a similar pattern. In the southeast 39.5% of students had piercings versus 28.3% in the wealthier northeast.
Researchers believe socioeconomic status may play a role in body modification trends.
Though the sample had some limitations in terms of equal gender and age distribution across geographic sectors.
Tattoos Often Done Casually Among Friends
Perhaps most concerning was how students acquired their tattoos and piercings.
Only a minority visited licensed professionals at tattoo parlors or piercing studios.
Instead, 44% of teens with tattoos and a full 63% with piercings said they received them informally from friends or at street fairs.
Researchers were surprised by this finding.
They recommend education and discussion about the health risks of getting tattoos and piercings from unqualified individuals.
What Parents, Educators & Doctors Can Do
While body art alone shouldn’t be cause for alarm, researchers say awareness is key.
Parents, teachers, and physicians should view tattoos and piercings as potential indicators of underlying risky behaviors.
Subtle screening questions can help uncover problems like alcohol abuse, drug use, mental health issues, or unsafe sexual activity.
Early intervention improves outcomes and helps get struggling teens back on track.
With open communication and compassion, adults can guide young people through this period of exploration and self-discovery.
While ensuring they stay happy, healthy, and safe along the way.
Study: Methodology & Limitations
The researchers surveyed 1,329 students aged 14-19 years old attending public, subsidized private, and elite private high schools.
The anonymous questionnaire gathered data on tattoos, piercings, alcohol and drug use, sexual activity, and more.
Students came from different geographic sectors and socioeconomic strata in Santiago, Chile.
Though participation was voluntary, so body modification rates may be lower than overall student averages.
The sample also skewed young, with most participants between 14-16 years old. Tattoo prevalence tends to increase with age.
So the 1.7% rate may underestimate totals for older teenagers.
Still this pilot study sheds light on an under-researched topic in Chile.
More work is needed to analyze psychological factors and improve understanding of at-risk youth.
Links: Tats, Piercings, Behavioral Problems
Tattoos and piercings are widespread among Chilean youth today.
While body art isn’t inherently dangerous, it can signify deeper behavioral issues.
Parents and educators must keep the lines of communication open.
And approach body modifications not as taboos, but as openings to discuss healthy decision-making with teens.
By staying alert and involved, caring adults can guide young people through this time of self-discovery.
Helping them grow into happy, purposeful, responsible adults even in the face of peer pressure and outside influences.
References
- Study: Association between tattoos, piercings, and risk behaviors in adolescents
- Authors: Maria Laura T Cossio et al. (2012)
