title: Contemporary college students and body piercing.
abstract: Student (N = 450) demographic characteristics (parental composition and relationships, and religious participation) were documented in those with body piercings (32%) and those without body piercings (55%), yet many risky behaviors were present, including tattooing (22%). Major piercing purposes were self-expression and identity, rather than deviancy or rebellion.
authors.affiliation: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock, 79430, USA. myrna.armstrong@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Myrna L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.forename: Alden E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Donna C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: Jerome R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Koch
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012067:Religion; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D015206:Southwestern United States; D013240:Stereotyping; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013653:Tattooing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014495:Universities