Relationships between body modifications and very high-risk behaviors in a college population

College Student Journal, June, 2002 by Terry D. Burger, Deborah Finkel

Although our first hypothesis was strongly supported, our second hypothesis was not. Previous research provided support for the hypothesis that self-esteem would mediate the relationship between body modification and very high-risk behaviors. For example, studies conducted by Gordon & Caltabiana (1997), Fisher et al. (1991), and Gard (1999) demonstrated an apparent relationship between engaging in high-risk activities and a person's low self-esteem. A larger and more culturally diverse sample might provide the number of participants with body modifications needed to portray more accurately the role of self-esteem in body modifications and risky behaviors in a college population.

In conclusion, in spite of the fact that body modifications have become more common and more accepted in recent years, the present study suggests that they are still a reliable predictor of risky behavior in a young adult sample. In fact, body modification served as a stronger predictor of behaviors of highest risk than behaviors of only moderate risk.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by a Summer Research Fellowship from Indiana University Southeast awarded to Terry D. Burger. Dr. Finkel is supported in pan by NIA grant AG10175.