Abstract 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.

中文翻译：

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作为画布的身体：纹身的动机、意义和治疗意义

摘要 本研究通过检查获得纹身的动机及其与治疗的联系，探讨了纹身与艺术治疗的关系。参与者包括完成混合方法调查的 239 名大学生（122 名有纹身，117 名没有纹身）。结果表明，有纹身的人和没有纹身的人在年龄、性别和教育水平方面存在差异。动机与自我表达和对损失的纪念有关。治愈是明显的成就和力量。这些发现表明了艺术治疗的可能功能，因为纹身可以作为促进愈合和探索自我认同的工具，并邀请客户分享他们的纹身故事作为治疗过程的一部分。