Investigating the Removal of Body Piercings

Myrna L. Armstrong, Alden E. Roberts, Jerome R. Koch, Jana C. Saunders and Donna C. Owen
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Myrna L. Armstrong: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Marble Falls
Alden E. Roberts: Texas Tech University, Lubbock
Jerome R. Koch: Texas Tech University, Lubbock
Jana C. Saunders: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock
Donna C. Owen: Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing, Lubbock

Clinical Nursing Research, 2007, vol. 16, issue 2, 103-118

Abstract: Although body piercing procurement continues to increase, 13% to 18% of them are removed. Reasons for piercing removal in college students were examined with three groups: (a) those who kept all their piercings, (b) those who removed some, or (c) those who removed all of their body piercings. Of the sample, 41% were still pierced; 50% in their lifetime. Their major purpose for the body piercing was “helped them feel unique.†Females obtained more (in high school) and then removed more, usually as upperclassmen. Males and females reported themselves as risk takers at procedure time and currently; however, only 10% cited deviancy as a reason for the body piercing(s). Only removal elements of “I just got tired of it†and “I just decided to remove it†were present, especially with the Some Removed Group. Further examination of body piercing building personal distinctiveness and self-identity to promote their need of uniqueness is suggested.

Keywords: body piercing; body piercing removal; college students; patient education; uniqueness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2007
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:clnure:v:16:y:2007:i:2:p:103-118

DOI: 10.1177/1054773806298506

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