Psychiatry Investig.  2019 Jul;16(7):504-512. 10.30773/pi.2019.03.06.

Are Tattoos an Indicator of Severity of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Behavior in Adolescents?

• Solís-Bravo MA
• Flores-Rodríguez Y
• Tapia-Guillen LG
• Gatica-Hernández A
• Guzmán-Reséndiz M
• Salinas-Torres LA
• Vargas-Rizo TL
• Albores-Gallo L

• KMID: 2454719
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2019.03.06

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To compare adolescents with non-suicidal self-injury behavior and tattoos [NSSI (T+)] with another group with non-suicidal self-injury behavior without tattoos [NSSI (T−)].
METHODS
Adolescents (n=438) 42.6% males from the community (M=12.3, SD=1.3), completed the Self-Injury Schedule.
RESULTS
The lifetime prevalence of tattoos performed with the purpose to feel pain was 1.8%. Compared to the NSSI (T−) group, the NSSI (T+) group was significantly more likely to meet the DSM-5 frequency criteria of 5 self-injury events in 1 year, practice more than one method of self-injury, and topography, more suicidal intentionality, more negative thoughts and affective emotions before, during, and after self-injury and more academic and social dysfunction.
CONCLUSION
Adolescents from the community who practice tattooing to feel pain, show a distinct phenotype of NSSI. Health professionals and pediatricians should assess tattooing characteristics such as intention (to feel pain), frequency, and presence of non-suicidal self-injury behavior and suicide intentionality.

Keyword

Tattoo; Self-injury; Suicide; Child and adolescence psychiatry; Prevalence

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Appointments and Schedules
Health Occupations
Humans
Intention
Male
Methods
Phenotype
Prevalence
Suicide
Tattooing