Motivations for tattooing In addition to the more identity-based, personal narrative, and group-oriented motivations for getting tattoos, some studies suggest that tattoos can also be viewed as a means to embellish the body as a fashion accessory or piece of art to wear on the body.
A study of a community sample of women (Reference Romans, Martin and MorrisRomans 1998) found that being tattooed was associated with more psychiatric symptoms, borderline personality characteristics as well as increased alcohol use. Childhood sexual abuse was reported more often in women with tattoos.
Studies have shown mixed results regarding the psychological profiles of people with tattoos. Some research indicates that tattooed individuals may exhibit higher levels of risk-taking behaviors, while other studies find no significant differences in personality traits compared to non-tattooed individuals.
Now, if they're extroverted, sensing, optimistic, but also pragmatic at the same time, they're more likely to get tattoos as well. Now, I have said in the past, that person has that has tattoos is more than likely pragmatic.
Tattoos may show how a person feels about a relative (commonly a parent or child) or about an unrelated person. Tattoos can also be used for functional purposes, such as identification, permanent makeup, and medical purposes.
In this study, there was no significant relationship between tattoos and/or piercings and self-esteem, which was consistent with Carroll and Anderson. However, several studies reported that body cosmetic procedures were correlated with low self-esteem or negative self-concept.
Identity: Exploring and expressing my unique self.
Most of the participants felt that their tattoo represented their identity, and was extremely personal. One participant remarked: “I feel like my tattoo in some way expresses what I've been through, expresses my life... I can see how these words define me.”
Tattoos and piercings were more common among individuals who reported childhood abuse and neglect. The proportion of participants with tattoos and piercings increased as a function of the severity of all assessed types of abuse and neglect (emotional, physical, and sexual abuse; emotional and physical neglect).
Tattoos may signal biological quality, in turn making the tattooed individual more sexually attractive. Zahavi (1975) argued that many species exhibit handicapping or costly behavior so that there is honest signaling of fitness and resources between mates.
By reviewing the literature on psychological and psychiatric aspects of tattooing, we suggest that tattoos should be viewed not as signs of pathology, but as opportunities to explore core aspects of self-identity that can be valuable in clinical work.
They have found that individuals with tattoos report that they feel more attractive, stronger and more self-confident—having overcome the fear of pain. [ii] For some, tattoos seem to go deeper than just underneath the skin, creating a deep personal change, which makes him or her mentally stronger.
Researchers have found that the type of tattoo you choose, the location, and even the color can provide insight into your psyche. For example, people who choose bold, bright tattoos may be more extroverted and attention-seeking.
Respondents with four or more tattoos had significantly higher self-esteem than those with less. This was especially among those who reported a history of depression. The cause for this may be that a tattoo gives you a sense of control over the self. And allows you to reclaim something that has been lost or taken.
There are many reasons why someone gets a tattoo, including: Decoration: personal enjoyment, or identifying with a certain group (i.e. military, cultural, club, etc.) Identification: prisoners (in current prisons, or concentration camps, for example) Personal proclamations: love, memory, fandoms.
Tattoos' popularity among women reflects changing attitudes about a practice that once was male-dominated. Today, many women are choosing tattoos as important signifiers of empowerment, identity and personal values, experts say. Frequently, they use body art to honor something or someone or to cope with trauma.
The relationship between the body and tattoos opens up a very important analysis for psychology. Experiences and emotions pass through the body. They are part of our life. Tattoos also speak of who we are, they express what we like, what defines us, what crosses us and are part of our personality.
We found that 63 percent of people with a tattoo smaller than the palm of their hand regret it. However, only 2 percent of people with full-sleeves or longer, regret their tattoo. Perhaps that's because people with full-sleeves or longer spent more time thinking about it.
The tattoo lives across bounds, from spiritual tradition to connoted meanings to badges of pain or survival; it is a dynamic object that glorifies individuality and as such is the physical representation of the iconic act of getting a tattoo.
These determine people's capacity to confront situations and adapt to the circumstances. For better or for worse, tattooed people are typically associated with: being extrovert, have a rich social life, or the necessity to feel unique and stand out from the of the people.
Tattoos are used as a means to honour people, places and events and to capture one's memory and experience. Often, it is a means to deal with emotions, such as grief and loss, anger or rebellion against existing (family or wider) norms.
Tattoos have experienced a rise in popularity largely since the 1970s but more abruptly in the last 15 to 20 years—21% of people said they had tattoos in 2012 and 30% said they were inked in 2019. The last two decades have led to a more commonplace acceptance of tattoos in churches, schools and the workplace.
In fact, 86% said that they don't see non-visible tattoos as unprofessional. Nevertheless, things look slightly different when it comes to visible tattoos, especially on the face and neck, as 63% of the general public would consider them unprofessional.
Tattoos and Self-Confidence
Interestingly, many report a boost in self-confidence after getting tattooed. A tattoo that truly reflects who you are can serve as a potent reminder of your strengths and values.