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Body Modification includes tattoos, body piercings and branding or scarification. For the purposes of this article I will not be discussing the body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) that some have which takes them to extremes of body modification with plastic surgery (i.e. Michael Jackson, the cat woman, etc.) This discussion will be limited to those that seek tattoos and piercings in general. The findings referenced in this article were presented at a recent American Association of Suicidology conference.

While in recent years body modification has been more socially acceptable for a tattoo or two and maybe a selected piercing (of the belly button for example) there is still a stigma associated with those having body art. A 2003 Harris Poll shows that approximately 16% of Americans have one or more tattoos. This is a three-fold rise from a 1936 Life Magazine poll. It is estimated that 36% of those between the ages of 25-29 have had a tattoo. More body modifications seem to occur on the West Coast of the United States than the East and it is highest amongst gays, lesbians and bisexual populations. According to an online survey the average number of tattoos for a male subject is three to four. It seems as if after one tattoo, most people return for another. The same can be said for piercings and scarification.

Dr. David Lester, Ph.D. professor of psychology at Richard Stockton College in Pomona NJ (and a suicidologist with the Center for the Study of Suicide) in a recent presentation to peers on the subject showed a strong link between body modification and suicide. In Dr. Lester’s study only 34% of some 4,700 individuals who responded to an online survey on a hard-core body modification web site admitted to not considering suicide. Two-thirds had suicidal ideation at one time or another or attempted suicide. Thirty-nine percent admitted that they only contemplated suicide while 27% stated that they made one or more attempts. The survey also identified participants by sexual preference. Fifty-six percent were heterosexual, 38% bisexual and 5% homosexual. Eighty-eight percent were white and 45% were students. Most survey participants had a medial age of 21 years.

The type of body modification as well as the anatomic location also lends itself to the suicidality. Eyebrow piercings show a rather high suicide attempt rate with 46% of women admitting. Among men with tongue piercings 24% reported previous suicide attempts. Some of the highest suicide rates occur with those that engage in scarification. The survey reports that 39% of men and 48% of women with scarification of the upper arm or shoulder area reported one or more prior suicide attempts. As Dr. Lester reports self-mutilation may be an indicator for high risk for suicide accordingly, but further studies are needed for clarification since the online survey tends to be somewhat skewed. Certain types of body modification may also be another cry for help to some degree as we see with hesitation marks or wrist slashing.

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JP Saleeby, MD is co-director of the Emergency Room at LRMC in Hinesville, GA. He treats and stabilizes those who present to the ER with suicide attempt or ideation. For comments sent to jpsaleeby[at]aol.com

Reference:

David Lester, Ph.D.
Center for the Study of Suicide
RR41, 5 Stonegate Court
Blackwood, NJ 08012-5356

Jancin, Bruce, "Body Modification: Personal Art or Cry for Help?", Family Practice News, Vol. 35, No. 16, August 15, 2005, p. 33.

http://www.tattoo.dk/questionnaire/eng-cyberresults.htm

http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_facts.htm

Oct 8, 2003 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ (Harris Poll in Tattoos)