Citation

Solís-Bravo MA, Flores-Rodríguez Y, Tapia-Guillen LG, Gatica-Hernández A, Guzmán-Reséndiz M, Salinas-Torres LA, Vargas-Rizo TL, Albores-Gallo L. Psychiatry Investig. 2019; 16(7): 504-512.

Affiliation

Clinical and Community Epidemiology in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Korean Neuropsychiatric Association)

DOI

10.30773/pi.2019.03.06

PMID

31352732

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.

Language: en

Keywords

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