...modifications reported more symptoms depression and trait anxiety than individuals without body modifications. It is recommended that health care providers in college settings be vigilant for possible associated psychological issues in individuals with body modifications.

**********

College counselors often Face challenges related to clients' health risk behaviors that may contribute to or parallel clients' other presenting concerns. Indeed, young adults are at the greatest risk for engaging in unsafe behaviors compared with other age groups (Arnett, 1992; Jessor, 1992; Zuckerman, 1994). Behaviors that are a risk to health, such as excessive drug and alcohol use, unprotected sexual activity, and so on, have been the focus of extensive research efforts (e.g., Bradley & Wildman, 2002). College counselors can benefit from this research literature to better understand how young adult, risk-taking behaviors can reflect underlying psychological concerns while at the same time considering some degree of risk taking as part of normal young adult development.

Tattooing and body piercing represent specific examples of behaviors that may have multiple possible clinical interpretations related to risk taking. At one level, typical young adult developmental issues of nonconformity and a desire to be noticed, along with tendencies to affirm one's own individuality through symbolic representation, can provide a context that normalizes tattooing and body piercing. At another level, previous research has suggested that tattooing and body piercing are potential overt behaviors that may reflect underlying tendencies toward excessive risk taking. For example, tattoos and body piercings have been associated with increased rates of drug and alcohol use, unprotected sexual activity, criminal behavior, violence, and suicide (Braithwaite, Robillard, Woodring, Stephens, & Arriola, 2001; Grief & Hewitt, 1998; Loimer & Werner, 1992). Even in nonclinical samples, body modifications (e.g., tatoos or piercings) have been associated with numerous psychological disturbances, including disordered eating, low self-esteem, and embarrassment and disappointment after obtaining a body modification (Armstrong & Pace Murphy, 1997; Roberts...

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.



More articles from Journal of College Counseling
Psychological correlates of help seeking for eating-disorder symptoms ..., March 22, 2005
Multidimensional perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive behaviors.(Res..., March 22, 2005
A psychometric evaluation of the SASSI-3 in a college sample.(Research..., March 22, 2005
The relationship of client stages of change to working alliance and ou..., March 22, 2005
Help-seeking and non-help-seeking students' perceptions of own and pee..., March 22, 2005

Looking for additional articles?
Search our database of over 3 million articles.

Looking for more in-depth information on this industry?
Search our complete database of Industry & Market reports by text, subject, publication name or publication date.

About Goliath
Whether you're looking for sales prospects, competitive information, company analysis or best practices in managing your organization, Goliath can help you meet your business needs.

Our extensive business information databases empower business professionals with both the breadth and depth of credible, authoritative information they need to support their business goals. Whether it be strategic planning, sales prospecting, company research or defining management best practices - Goliath is your leading source for accurate information.