Using 25 interviews of young adults and Communication Privacy Management Theory (CPM) as a theoretical framework, this study examines what motivates young adults to verbally disclose or not disclose their tattoos to others. Findings suggest young adults were aware of the threat of tattoo stigma and carefully created and managed privacy rules by assessing whether disclosing their tattoos was risky or rewarding. Participants verbally revealed their tattoo(s) when they perceived disclosing helped them bond with others, establish their identities, and empower themselves. Conversely, participants concealed their tattoo(s) when they perceived disclosing as harmful for their professional identity or potentially resulting in judgment from family and friends. This study sheds light on young adults’ privacy management and underscores the value of tattoos and the need to destigmatize them.

本研究使用对年轻人的 25 次访谈和通信隐私管理理论 (CPM) 作为理论框架，研究是什么促使年轻人口头透露或不向他人透露他们的纹身。调查结果表明，年轻人意识到纹身耻辱的威胁，并通过评估披露他们的纹身是否有风险或回报来精心制定和管理隐私规则。当参与者认为透露纹身有助于他们与他人建立联系、建立身份并赋予自己权力时，他们口头透露了他们的纹身。相反，当参与者认为披露对他们的职业身份有害或可能导致家人和朋友的判断时，参与者会隐藏他们的纹身。