Assessing the Adlerian Lifestyle through Tattoo Narratives

Abstract

Using narrative inquiry, we explored 10 participants’ tattoo narratives. The purpose of this qualitative study was to see how participants’ tattoo narratives reflect their lifestyle as conceptualized in Adlerian theory. Results indicate that participants used tattoo narratives to reveal information related to the assumed premises of the lifestyle syllogism. Three themes emerged from a thematic narrative analysis of the interviews: (a) view of self, (b) view of others, and (c) view of the world. Key concepts that emerged from a discussion of the themes were (a) communicative power of tattoos and (b) spirituality. Limitations, recommendations for future qualitative and quantitative research, and implications for practice were discussed.