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In text Find Out more  boxes provide a brief, easy-to-read synopsis of a recently published SAGE Journal Article studies and research. For further research and exploration, each journal article is reprinted in full, below.

Research 3.1

Karl. K.A., Hall, M.N. & Peluchette, J.V. (2013). City employee perceptions of the impact of dress and appearance: You are what you wear. Public Personnel Management, 42, 452-470.

Abstract: This study focuses on city employees and their perceptions regarding the importance of dress and appearance in the public sector workplace. Using the impression management literature and self-presentation theory, we examine the impact of mode of dress worn (casual, business casual, formal business) on their self-perceptions of creativity, productivity, trustworthiness, authoritativeness, friendliness, and competence. We also examine their beliefs regarding the impact of employee appearance on customer perceptions of service quality. Our results suggest that “you are what you wear.” Respondents felt more competent and authoritative when wearing either formal business or business casual, more trustworthy and productive when wearing business casual, and least friendly and creative when wearing formal business attire. Respondents also believed that uniforms had a positive impact on customer perceptions of overall service quality, and that tattoos, athletic wear, unconventional hairstyles or hair color, sweat pants, facial piercings, revealing clothing and clothing with tears, rips or holes had a negative impact. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Research 3.2

Dukes, R & Stein, J. (2011). Ink and holes: Predictive associations of body modifications among adolescence. Youth and Society, 43. 1547-1569.

Abstract: We examined correlates and predictive associations of tattoos and body piercings among 1,462 Colorado students in grades 9 to 12. More boys (19%) than girls (17%) reported tattoos, but more girls (42%) than boys (16%) reported piercings (earlobes not included). Older students reported more body modification. Structural equation models showed that although girls generally reported less deviant behavior, the indirect effect of female gender mediated through piercings was toward greater deviance that was not an artifact of girls having more piercings. Pierced girls were less school oriented than girls without piercings; they reported more substance use than boys without piercings, and pierced girls did not differ from boys in weapons possession and delinquency. However, among pierced respondents, boys still reported a greater number of deviant behaviors than girls. Educators and other adults should become aware of the possible at-risk status of bodymodified adolescents, especially among girls who have piercings.