Tattoo Narratives and Counseling Danny Lane Mccarty University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
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University of Arkansas, Fayetteville ScholarWorks@UARK Theses and Dissertations 8-2019 Tattoo Narratives and Counseling Danny Lane McCarty University of Arkansas, Fayetteville Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd Part of the Behavior and Behavior Mechanisms Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Counselor Education Commons, and the Personality and Social Contexts Commons Recommended Citation McCarty, Danny Lane, "Tattoo Narratives and Counseling" (2019). Theses and Dissertations. 3344. https://scholarworks.uark.edu/etd/3344 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by ScholarWorks@UARK. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks@UARK. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Tattoo Narratives and Counseling A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision by Danny L. McCarty University of South Alabama Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, 2012 University of South Alabama Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, 2015 August 2019 University of Arkansas This dissertation is approved for recommendation to the Graduate Council. _________________________________ David D. Christian, Ph.D. Dissertation Chair _________________________________ _________________________________ Erin K. Popejoy, Ph.D. Kristin K. Higgins, Ph.D. Committee Member Committee Member _________________________________ Merry Lynn Moiseichik, R.Ed. Committee Member ABSTRACT Much research has been done on tattoos and on those who acquire them, but most of the research has focused on negative correlations that might exist with people who have tattoos. This current research, however, showed that people’s tattoo narratives can relate to how they view self, others, and the world, and to how they approach life. A narrative approach to qualitative research was used, and ten people participated in the study. Participants’ views of self, others, and the world were discussed as these views emerged from the narratives. Their possible approaches to life were also addressed. Themes that emerged across participants were then considered. Implications for counseling practice and counselor education were also discussed. ©2019 by Danny L. McCarty All Rights Reserved ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I thank my family. Angela McCarty: Thank you for being my wife and soulmate; you stand by me through all the storms life sends; you encourage me in my weaknesses; your precious love is intoxicating; you embolden my determination; thank you for our lovely conversations; thank you for your support and love and faith. Eliana McCarty, I thank God for giving me daughters as wonderful as you and your sister. Thank you for all the courage-hugs you gave me while I worked on my dissertation. I love you so much, always and forever, no matter what. Larry McCarty, I am honored to have you as my brother. And you are always on my heart. Darryl and Pam McCarty, thank you for being such loving and supportive parents. Uncle James Tripp, I also thank you. Jason Bradford, your friendship is worth more than gold. I thank my dissertation committee—Drs. David Christian, Erin Popejoy, Kristin Higgins, and Merry Moiseichik. Thank you, Dr. Christian, for encouraging, mentoring, and training me. Thank you for your faith and confidence. I am incredibly indebted to you. Dr. Popejoy, thank you for your invaluable guidance on narrative research. Dr. Higgins, thank you for your positivity concerning my research. Dr. Merry, thank you. I will never forget your words of encouragement that night on the river expedition. It was a turning point for me. Drs. Lisa A. Turner, Tres Stefurak, Brandon Browning, Amy Upton, John Dagley, and Allan Hillman, thank you for believing in me and encouraging me to go all the way. To all the professors who invested in me, know that I will express my gratitude for you every day through my kindness, patience, faith, and love toward my clients and students. To all the participants: You made this dissertation possible. Thank you for your willingness to share your stories. I am honored that you opened up to me. DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my big brother, Dennis Clay McCarty. I miss you so much. My soul still screams for you. This dissertation marks the end of the journey I embarked on after you died. God has since given me two daughters, and I dedicate the rest of my life to them. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................... 1 NEED FOR THE STUDY .................................................................................................................. 3 PURPOSE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................................................... 4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS ................................................................................................................ 5 POSITIONS AND BIASES ................................................................................................................ 5 REFLEXIVITY ............................................................................................................................... 7 LIMITATIONS ................................................................................................................................ 8 DEFINITION OF TERMS ................................................................................................................. 8 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................ 9 A THEMATIC HISTORY OF TATTOOS ............................................................................................ 9 The Ubiquity of tattoos............................................................................................................ 9 The Taboo of Tattoo .............................................................................................................. 11 Pathology in Academic Research ......................................................................................... 14 The Reemergence of Tattoos ................................................................................................. 16 MOTIVATIONS FOR BECOMING TATTOOED ................................................................................ 19 Overview of Motivations ....................................................................................................... 20 No Motivating Factors .......................................................................................................... 21 FUNCTIONS OF TATTOOS ............................................................................................................ 22 Overview of Functions .......................................................................................................... 22 Pain in the Process ............................................................................................................... 23 Creating Meaning ................................................................................................................. 24 View of Self and Others......................................................................................................... 25 Communicative Power of Tattoos ......................................................................................... 26 ARRIVING AT NARRATIVE .......................................................................................................... 27 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES ................................ 30 NARRATIVE INQUIRY ................................................................................................................. 30 THEORETICAL LENSES ............................................................................................................... 32 Adlerian Theory .................................................................................................................... 32 Social Constructivism ........................................................................................................... 35 RESEARCH QUESTIONS .............................................................................................................. 35 PARTICIPANTS ............................................................................................................................ 36 Selection ................................................................................................................................ 36 INSTRUMENTS ............................................................................................................................ 37 DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURES .............................................................................................. 38 Informed Consent .................................................................................................................. 38 Contact and Interview Process ............................................................................................. 39 DATA ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................................ 40 Phase One: Listening and Experiencing............................................................................... 40 Phase Two and Three: Transcribing and Interpreting ........................................................