Tattoo as Identity and Affiliation

Participants generally felt their tattoos expressed their identity, except Zama who felt hers falsely represented her as "tough" and a "bad girl"
Some believed tattoos told a complex story, only fully understood by those who know them
Many felt the most important aspect was personal meaning, not conveying a message to the world
Tattoos were seen as permanent expressions of identity, unique as the personal meanings attached
Participants felt tattoos, particularly in science fields, expressed uniqueness
Some found uniqueness in unusual tattoo designs
Blair personally designed her tattoos to avoid "stock footage" on her skin
Uniqueness created mystery, sparking conversations and curiosity

Family was a recurring theme; tattoos expressed lasting connection to family groups
Kahlo and Lennon shared designs with their families, serving as reminders of connection when apart
Kahlo's tattoo reflected her commitment to family, hoping it would be passed down
Frank's tattoos connected him to various family members, commemorating their impact on his life
Zama's tattoos were a way of continuing the existence of her deceased siblings
Audrey's tattoos mirrored her grandfather's, illustrating her desire to be like him
Blair's grandfather influenced her artistic perspective
Semicolons connected Ally and Zama to a community of those who have struggled with mental health
Kahlo's Spanish tattoo represented her Cuban heritage
Frank's Italian tattoos reflected his connection to his heritage

Tattoos served as reminders of significant events and periods in participants' lives
Blair's sparrow tattoo brought back memories of her grandfather's stories, nurturing her creativity
Frank's tattoo commemorated a life-altering trip to Rome with his brother and grandfather
Peaches' tattoo represented a difficult period after her parents' divorce, shaping her identity
Ally's tattoos reflected phases of her life, including her struggle with depression and crisis of faith
Reese's complex tattoo marked a difficult chapter in his life, representing strength in remembering
Tattoos helped with healing and meaning-making, bringing closure after dealing with events

Tattoos represented overcoming challenges and difficult chapters
Reese's tattoo symbolised the closing of a difficult chapter in his life
Peaches' tattoo reflected growth through surviving challenges, redefining faith, hope, and love
Ally's tattoo signified the strength and courage needed to survive depression
Zama's tattoos reminded her of resilience in the face of tragedy and the importance of self-care
Blair's metaphor of trees illustrated perseverance leading to positive outcomes, despite challenges
Reese's dog-themed tattoo reflected his own resilience and growth despite challenges
Frank's motto, "life is always beautiful," helped him through a difficult period, instilled by his grandfather
Audrey's tattoos reminded her of her grandfather's resilience, giving her courage to confront challenges

The stigma attached to tattoos by older generations was a recurring theme
Most participants had negative encounters with older individuals, especially regarding their tattoos
Family members, particularly parents and grandparents, often disapproved due to cultural norms, religious beliefs, or perceived professional consequences
Some reported that negative views changed once the meaning behind the tattoo was understood
Participants considered the impact of tattoos on their future careers, particularly in professions like law
Some strategically placed tattoos to be covered by formal attire, while others found ways to conceal them
In contrast, some professions like veterinary science and biology were seen as more accepting of tattoos
Despite growing acceptance, a generational gap exists between those who hold on to negative stigmas and younger generations who embrace self-expression through tattoos
Participants acknowledged the potential impact of tattoos on their careers and made informed decisions about placement and design.

Participants reported getting tattoos for personal reasons, feeling a sense of agency.
They had control over design, placement, and the expression of their identity.
Participants ensured their tattoos were unique and differentiated them from others.
Tattoos allow individuals to express their individuality and manage their impressions by controlling the visibility of the tattoo.
Tattoos express agency by allowing participants to choose when and to whom their tattoos are revealed.

Participants told narratives that centered on family members or entire family units, describing how shared events shaped their identities.
Participants reported sharing tattoos with their family, signifying belonging and commitment to a group.
Some participants expressed the impact of family through their tattoo narratives, including instances of family dynamics and challenges.
Memorial tattoos serve a dual purpose, both honoring lost individuals and reminding the wearer of their impact.
Memorial tattoos present opportunities for empathic conversations and interactions with others.

Tattoos were used to remember and express overcoming difficult times and the healing and growth that occurred after negative events.
Participants shared stories of resilience and overcoming challenges, such as divorce, family separation, mental health struggles, and loss.
Redemption narratives highlighted the use of tattoos to symbolize overcoming these struggles and building strength from difficult experiences.
Semicolon tattoos were reported as symbolizing personal struggles with mental health and overcoming these challenges.
Participants expressed a shared connection to the Semicolon Project community, aiding in the creation of their own redemption narratives.

The study was limited to university students from a specific demographic, including predominantly white individuals and a lack of representation from certain groups.
The study also had limitations regarding religious orientation and language, as the data was collected using English, which was the second language for some participants.
The study recommends using digital storytelling as a data gathering technique to capture the visual aspect of tattoos.
A longitudinal research design is also recommended to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the evolution of narrative identity over time.

The study provides a unique perspective on how individuals express their narrative identity through tattoos.
Tattoos express agency, communion, and redemption, contributing to the complex and enduring relationship between tattoos and narratives.
The study highlights the importance of tattoos in personal identity, challenging traditional views and contributing to the understanding of self-expression in contemporary society.