United Kingdom adults with tattoos are more aggressive and rebellious than those without ink, a study by researchers at Anglia Ruskin University found.
The study will be published in an upcoming edition of the journal Body Image, according to officials at the university.
"One explanation is that people who have higher reactive rebelliousness may respond to disappointing and frustrating events by getting tattooed," professor Viren Swami, who led the study, said in a release. "That is, when these individuals experience a negative emotional event, they may be more likely to react by pursuing an act that is seen as defiant. The act of tattooing is perceived as rebellious, or more generally tattoos themselves can signify defiance or dissent."
Researchers surveyed 378 adults between 20 and 58 years old. They found more than 25 percent of respondents had a tattoo.
"Although tattoos have now become commonplace in modern British society," Swami said. "Our findings may have implications for understanding the reported associations between tattooing and risky behavior among adults."
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