Tattooing: A popular way of self-expression among university students

ATLİ A., Akkaya M., ŞAD S. N.

CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY, vol.41, no.12, pp.8965-8974, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 41 Issue: 12
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s12144-021-01389-0
  • Journal Name: CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Psycinfo
  • Page Numbers: pp.8965-8974
  • Keywords: Tattoo, Thematic analysis, University students
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Perceptions about tattoos have recently undergone a fast change and now they are considered as a popular means of self-expression, especially among adolescents and young adults. In the present qualitative study, it is aimed to understand this change by deeply exploring the decision-making processes about having tattoos, the reasons for having tattoos, and the experiences after having tattoos among university students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 24 university students (12 females and 12 males) aged between 18 and 24 years from eight different cities in Turkey. As a result of the thematic analysis, ten sub-themes emerged under three major themes (i.e. "Deciding on having a tattoo", "Reasons for having a tattoo", and "Experiences after the tattoo"). Practical suggestions were given to practitioners within the framework of the findings.