Motivation for tattooing among university students: A systematic literature review

People from diverse walks of life get tattoos today; however, the practice remains more prevalent among young people in most societies. Universities offer a suitable context for examining body modification practices and attitudes because they are a concentrated population of individuals and groups from the most heterogeneous backgrounds at an important point of identity exploration and formation. Applying the PRISMA framework, this review maps and evaluates the literature addressing the motivational dimension of university students' tattooing. Twenty-eight records were found in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, as well as in the grey literature. The results of the thematic analysis indicate that quantitative inquiry is the preferred method. The included studies strongly focus on the US, although some noteworthy exceptions exist. By identifying the most salient factors behind students' motivation to get tattoos, this review elucidates the complex forces at play, which are often entangled networks of thoughts, feelings, and beliefs intertwined in the process. These findings can be applied by universities to create supportive and inclusive campus environments and to guide targeted well-being initiatives tailored to students’ needs.