My abstract for my dissertation: I need thoughts and response to my abstract:
The purpose of this research is to determine if women with a history of childhood sexual abuse used their tattoo as the main therapeutic tool in their healing. Long-term negative effects of childhood sexual abuse on mental and physical developmental health have been linked to negative coping styles. However, identified research on body modification as a coping method shows that many factors promote positive coping styles from which the effects are lifelong. Some factors which promote positive coping styles are related to alternative therapy options and understanding the relationship between the body and mind in body concepts. Looking at Feminine Post-Structural Theory provided evidence that female identity affects psychological and physical behavior toward the body and self. This research used a qualitative background using a narrative review. The narrative review offered a comprehensive account of the key events in the participant’s sexual abuse experience. The narrative accounts of the participants offered an in-depth and personal view of past sexual trauma and its effects. Body art such as the tattoo is proposed to help women survivors regain positive identity, which offers therapeutic value in the healing process. Current coping theories lend toward the idea that the tattoo experience acts as a specific therapeutic tool in the recovery of childhood sexual trauma as reported by the personal account of the survivors.
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Do you think that a tattoo is sometimes used as the "main" [meaning the primary] therapeutic tool to address sex abuse??
Not just to address, but to use as imagery to overcome such abuse. Thank you for responding, I know off topic. I bring this into the forum because I have had many Christian folk argue that a tattoo is not only ungodly, but a ruin to Gods temple, I agrue that it is neither and only a psychological representation through ink in the skin that provides a sense of overcoming injustices without the denotation of any god taking credit. Thanks for your input
My first question is what percentage of women who have gotten ink are also survivors of childhood sexual assault. Second, why did women who have gotten ink who are not survivors of it get that ink? And is it different for men who have / haven't ink who are survivors?
Good questions cyberlynn, however, in order to answer them, I would have to subject you to over 180 pages of literature review, then introduce you to my population and their personal stories which I can say are by under law protected by anonymity until my research is approved by my committee, my research is ongoing in this area. My dissertation is a narrative review of nine women who claim they were sexually abused and used tattoo's as a coping mechanism to remind them of what they overcame. My work isnt to prove why others have not. In a doctoral program, one must narrow down and finely tune down a specific question. As far as men, they are excluded as my research does not include men sexual abuse survivors. Hope that helps. Thanks
Do you have a link to a study?
This is my study which is in peer review; so, to answer your question, I am not approved yet, the research is only in methods section. I will happily provide my research when approved and PhD given. Thanks
I would say find a correlation between different long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse (Depression, PTSD, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, Substance Abuse etc.) and their prevalence among tattooed vs non-tattooed females.
Yes John, this section you mention is in my literature section.
Thank you all for your input, it does help me to tweak certain things and perspectives not completely answered in research on the subject....I think all of you are brilliant and your opinions matter to me...
Does the intention of the woman receiving the tattoo contribute to her healing? Does tattooing for a healing purpose have to be a deliberate act? Does the skill of the tattoo artist have any impact?
Does the "theme" of their tatoos correlate somehow with the abuse? Did you find any similarities (regarding the picture) among them?