Naudé, L.Naudé, Francois2024-07-192024-07-192022http://hdl.handle.net/11660/12689Dissertation (M.Soc.Sc.(Counselling Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2022The aim of this study was to explore and describe the use of tattoos as an expression of narrative identity among emerging adults. The practice of tattooing is almost as old as humanity itself, yet we are only now starting to uncover the profound and unique narratives that are expressed by these images. Narrative identity theory served as the framework for this study with the assumption that the self consists of three interconnected layers. The actor self is concerned with the present and the performance of social roles while the agent self focuses on the achievement of future goals by constructing and personalising a worldview. The author self becomes prominent during the emerging adulthood stage and attempts to make meaning of past nuclear events. Emerging adulthood is a distinctive life stage with multiple paths undertaken by individuals in the exploration of their unique identity. This qualitative study followed an explorative and descriptive research design rooted in a constructivist framework. Through purposive sampling, 10 emerging adults with at least one tattoo were selected. Data were gathered through the use of a reflective writing exercise and semi-structured interviews. The data were analysed using thematic narrative analysis. The findings demonstrated that the emerging adults from this study used tattoos to express their affiliation with others. Tattoos also reminded participants of the nuclear events that form part of their life narratives. The resilience shown to overcome challenges was another aspect expressed by the tattoos. Furthermore, it was indicated that there still seems to be a generational gap, with older individuals reacting negatively to the participant’s tattoos. Finally, the findings showed that participants used tattoos to express their unique identities. This study emphasises the importance of all three layers of the self for narrative-identity development by describing how the actor, agent, and author use tattoos to perform their various roles. This study draws a similarity between tattoo narratives and aspects of narrative identity such as agency, communion, and meaning-making. The study also emphasises the importance of the balance between agency and communion. Furthermore, a unique perspective was presented regarding vicarious narratives and their possible role in altering the master narrative. Lastly, the study adds valuable knowledge to emerging adulthood theory by showing the applicability of the proposed developmental pathways within the South African context. This study illustrates the importance and relevance of research on tattoos for the expansion of knowledge in the fields of narrative identity and emerging adulthood.enDissertationUniversity of the Free State