Are tattooed adults really more aggressive and rebellious than those without tattoos?

Tatted not tattered

Tattoos are common practice in underrepresented groups. However, institutional policies often prohibit visible tattoos of health professionals. This affects marginalized groups where tattoos may be the cultural norm. There are conflicting findings on perceptions of tattoos on medical professionals from the perspectives of peers, patients, and learners. Tattoo restriction can be discriminatory against already marginalized persons and sends a message of exclusion. Policies surrounding tattoo restriction should be re-evaluated to create an inclusive environment for all.

Manner of death associated with multiple tattoos

A prospective study was undertaken of 150 medicolegal cases where five or more tattoos were identified in anatomically separate areas. All cases were the subject of full police and coronial investigations with examination by forensic pathologists. There were 120 males and 30 females (M:F = 4:1) with an age range of 22-86 years (mean = 48.1 years). 78 cases were found where deaths were due to natural diseases (52%) (age range 27-82 years; mean 55.3 years; M:F = 4.2:1). 72 cases (48%) were found where deaths were classified as unnatural - 23 drug/alcohol related, 37 suicides, 12 accidents and 0 homicides (age range 20-66 years; mean 39.8 years; M:F = 3.8:1). This distribution was not shown to be statistically different to a control group of 100 non-tattooed individuals where there were 56 natural and 44 unnatural deaths (p = 0.3). Thus, although certain types of tattoos may be associated with an increased number of unnatural deaths in a medicolegal environment, the actual number of tattoos appears to have minimal effect.

Juror perceptions of the stereotypical violent crime defendant

Stereotypes and prejudice have been shown to bias information processing and decision-making. There are physical traits that are stereotypically associated with criminals (i.e. tattoos, dark skin-tone, facial untrustworthiness) and have been shown to influence juror decision-making. The current research aimed to investigate the effects of tattoos, facial trustworthiness and skin tone on juror case judgments and criminal appearance ratings, while also investigating and accounting for prejudice and motivation to respond without prejudice. Participants (n = 426) were asked to act as mock jurors in a hypothetical assault case by making case judgments and responding to appearance and attitude measures. Criminal appearance ratings indirectly mediated the relationship between physical traits and verdict decisions. Additionally, a significant interaction emerged between skin tone and racial prejudice on criminal appearance ratings, suggesting that the effects of physical traits may depend on individual attitudes. Implications and future directions are discussed.

Role of tattoos in football: Behavioral patterns and success-analysis of the FIFA World Cup 2018

Epidemiologic studies suggest that individuals with tattoos are more extroverted, aggressive, and more likely to take risks than individuals with no tattoos. Whether these personality traits affect athletic performance is uncertain. We compared behavioral patterns and rates of success of football players at the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup 2018 by tattoo status. In this cross-sectional study, 32.7% of football players had visible tattoos (241 of 736), mostly on their arms (97.1%). Footballers with tattoos played longer on average (208 versus 160 minutes; P < .001), received more cards (.38 versus .27; P < .001), and committed more fouls per player (2.64 versus 2.2; P < .001). Players with tattoos attempted more shots at goal (P = .016), but without higher goal success (P = .204). The higher number of disciplinary events (being whistled for fouls and given yellow or red cards) and longer playing time of football players with tattoos may reflect personality traits reported in nonathletic individuals with tattoos, such as dominance, extroversion, aggressiveness, and willingness to take risks.

Tattoos among professional football players in the 2018-2019 Spanish La Liga season

INTRODUCTION

Data regarding tattoos among football players are limited. We investigated the prevalence and characteristics of tattoos among elite players over a full season in the Spanish La Liga. We assessed whether tattoos had any impact on the performance and behavior of players and teams on the pitch.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Demographic (age, geographic origin, position), performance (goal-scoring) and disciplinary data (yellow/red cards received) for 476 players and overall team statistics over the 2018-2019 season were analyzed according to the presence of visible tattoos (head and neck, upper arms, lower limbs) for each player.

RESULTS

Of the 472 players analyzed, 160 (36%) had visible tattoos (upper limbs, 99%; lower limbs, 18.5%; head and neck, 12%), most of which were in black ink (83%). Players from South and Central America had the highest prevalence of visible tattoos (50%) and significantly more head and neck tattoos than Europeans (19% vs. 10% P=0.02). Tattoos were not significantly related to players' age or position. The mean number of goals scored was higher in the tattooed player group (2.7±4.6 goals vs. 1.9±3.3; P=0.013). There was a correlation between having tattoos and number of goals (Spearman rho 0.103, P=0.034). Tattooed players were more likely to have received≥1 yellow card (91% vs. 83.5%, P=0.03). There was no difference regarding red cards received (15 vs. 14%, P>0.05). The mean number of yellow cards was higher among players with tattoos than those without (4.4±3.2 vs. 3.6±3.2; P=0.01). However, the proportion of tattooed players in a team did not influence the overall team outcomes. The results were no longer significant when we included only players taking part in at least in 22 matches.

CONCLUSION

Among footballers in La Liga, 36% had visible tattoos, with individual variations attributable to differences in geographic, social, cultural and religious background. Having tattoos was associated with certain aspects of individual performance and discipline. The question whether this factor should be taken into consideration by players' agents and team managers remains open.

Health Implications and Counseling Considerations for Individuals With Piercings and Tattoos

Body art has become common and mainstream. Tattoos and body piercings represent highly individual expressions of identity and personal values. Health care services are enhanced when clinicians understand the anatomy and physiology, common discomforts, and real but rare serious risks of body modification and are prepared to provide compassionate support for individuals' choices. Special consideration must be given to the needs of childbearing women. By opening channels of communication, clinicians can engage with clients in shared decision making to help those who possess or desire body art take steps to reduce the risk of adverse effects and obtain prompt and effective medical care when problems arise. Through respectful discussion of existing body art, the therapeutic relationship is strengthened, and greater insight into an individual's health needs may be achieved.

Tattooed and Non-Tattooed Women: Motivation, Social Practices and Risk Behavior

Abstract This study aimed at identifying motivations, risk behavior and social practices, comparing tattooed and non-tattooed women. 316 women (50% tattooed) were surveyed online, answering questions on sociodemographic data, social practices, motivations, and risk behavior. Data collection strategies included snow-balling, social networks, personal contact, and visits to tattoo parlors. The main results indicate that the majority of women express satisfaction with their physical appearance after getting tattooed, and wouldn’t get the tattoo removed. Being tattooed correlated with risk behaviors such as casual sex with unknown people, alcohol and drug use, and psychopathology. The sample presented more similarities than differences between tattooed and non-tattooed groups, suggesting that growing popularization and social acceptance of tattooing has led to a decrease of the differences between the groups. Such results may inform future research and the production of informative materials aimed at demystifying negative stereotypes associated to tattoos.

Manner of death in individuals with expletive tattoos

In previous years individuals with tattoos were thought to have a higher rate of mental illness and risk taking behaviour. With the widespread adoption of tattoos in Western countries in recent years this negative association has been questioned. An issue which arises, however, is that "tattooing" is a heterogeneous activity that covers a wide spectrum of designs and motivations. To examine the characteristics of individuals presenting to medicolegal autopsy with "expletive tattoos" 19 individuals with tattoos that contained selected obscene words were compared to controls. Fifteen cases (79%) were found where deaths were classified as unnatural - 7 drug/alcohol related, 5 suicides, 2 accidents and 1 homicide. The decedents had an age range of 21-58 years, mean 39.7 years, with a male to female ratio of 14:1. Compared to controls there was a significantly increased number of unnatural deaths in the group with expletive tattoos (p < 0.01), with a tendency to involve males. This study has shown that expletive tattoos in a forensic context may be associated with unnatural and violent deaths, and that the study of particular subgroups of tattooed individuals may be useful in discerning specific trends that are unclear if "tattoos" are treated as a homogeneous phenomenon.

Women and Tattoos: Fashion, Meaning, and Implications for Health

Tattooing is a type of body modification that is both ancient and modern. Tattooing is rapidly increasing in popularity and prevalence, especially among younger people. Therefore, health care providers require knowledge about this form of artistic expression, including potential health implications and psychosocial significance. Tattooing is richly laden with cultural and personal meaning, but despite the increasingly mainstream status of this art form, individuals with tattoos may experience stigma, stereotyping, and discrimination in their personal and professional lives. The legal and regulatory aspects of tattoos have lagged behind the rapid growth of this art form, causing confusion and variation in practice. Particularly concerning is the multitude of largely unregulated tattoo inks marketed for human use but untested on humans. Common and uncommon side effects and complications of this procedure include hypersensitivity, infection, and regret. More women than men are now tattooed, and tattooing is associated with important implications for women's health care, including pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. Because of the frequency of regret, many individuals wish to be rid of previously acquired body art. Therefore, health care providers also need to be conversant with tattoo removal: motivations, techniques, risks, and factors influencing success. Familiarity with the many dimensions of body art will facilitate safe, compassionate health care provision and will enhance the therapeutic relationship enjoyed by clinicians and the individuals they serve.

Are tattoos associated with negative health-related outcomes and risky behaviors?

BACKGROUND

Tattoos have reached broadening mainstream acceptance. Medical professional societies have noted that tattoos may co-occur with high risk behaviors.

METHODS

Using a variety of statistical models applied to a sample of 2,008 adults residing in the United States via Amazon's Mechanical Turk, we estimate the associations between tattoo characteristics, three health-related outcomes (overall health status, ever diagnosed with a mental health issue, sleep problems), and three risky behaviors (current smoking, ever spent time in jail or prison, and number of sex partners).

RESULTS

We find that the presence, number, and specific features of tattoos are positively correlated with two of the health-related outcomes (ever diagnosed with a mental health issue and trouble sleeping) and all three of the risky behaviors (P < .05). Magnitudes are larger for those with multiple, visible, and offensive tattoos.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that individuals with tattoos are more likely to engage in risky behaviors relative to their non-tattooed counterparts, which may lead to health consequences. Dermatologists, healthcare providers, and public health advocates should recognize that having a tattoo(s) is a potential marker for mental health issues and risky behaviors.