Speaking Through the Body: The Incidence of Self-Injury, Piercing, and Tattooing Among College Students.

SELF-injurious behavior; PATHOLOGICAL psychology; STEREOTYPY (Psychiatry); SELF-destructive behavior; TATTOOING; COLLEGE students; SELF-expression; SEX crimes; EATING disorders; COUNSELING in higher education

Self-injurious behaviors were compared with tattooing and piercing in a college population. Findings indicate a high prevalence of self-injury. Students who self-injured were motivated by a desire to alleviate emotional pain; students who tattooed and pierced by self-expression. Students who self-injured scored higher than students who tattooed and pierced on measures of depression and scored lower on self-esteem and sense of control scales. The incidence of all 3 body-altering behaviors was higher among participants reporting physical/sexual abuse or eating disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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