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This study explored tattoos in relation to art therapy by examining motivations for obtaining them and their connection to healing. Participants consisted of 239 college students (122 with tattoos, 117 without) who completed a mixed-methods survey. Results indicated differences for age, gender, and level of education between those who have tattoos and those who do not. The motivation was related to self-expression and commemoration of a loss. Healing was evident as accomplishments and strengths. These findings indicate a possible function for art therapy given that tattoos can function as a vehicle for promoting healing and exploring self-identity as well as inviting clients to share the narratives of their tattoos as part of therapeutic process.
Simone Alter-Müri (Thu,) studied this question.