The Interplay between Trait Anxiety and Stigma Against Tattoos: The Indirect Effect of Humor

Authors

  • Alexandra Cobzeanu Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
  • Georgiana Lazarescu Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
  • Ioan-Alex Merlici Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University, Iasi, Romania
  • Bogdan Mihail Cobzeanu Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Bioengineering, Grigore T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Iasi, Romania
  • Iulia Cristina Roca Faculty of Medicine, Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Surgery II Department. Grigore T. Popa University, Iasi, Romania

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/17.3/1039

Keywords:

tattoos, humor, stigma, state anxiety, trait anxiety

Abstract

Tattoos are becoming increasingly prevalent in recent years, with more than 20% of the population having at least one. The present study examined the effect of trait anxiety on tattoo-related stigma and the indirect effect of humor on this relationship. We used a convenience sample comprising 402 female participants aged 19 to 72 (M = 32.35, SD = 7.56). Our results suggested that higher anxiety was associated with lower humor, which was further associated with higher tattoo-related stigma. Humor had a significant indirect effect on the link between trait anxiety and tattoo-related stigma when controlling for participants' tattoo status (i.e., participants with or without a tattoo). When controlling for participants' age, the mediating effect of humor did not remain significant. We discuss the practical implications of the present results concerning potential interventions to reduce stigma against people with tattoos.

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Published

2025-09-19

How to Cite

Cobzeanu, A., Lazarescu, G., Merlici, I.-A., Cobzeanu, B. M., & Roca, I. C. (2025). The Interplay between Trait Anxiety and Stigma Against Tattoos: The Indirect Effect of Humor. Revista Romaneasca Pentru Educatie Multidimensionala, 17(3), 684-699. https://doi.org/10.18662/rrem/17.3/1039

Issue

Vol. 17 No. 3 (2025): Revista Romaneasca pentru Educatie Multidimensionala

Section

Psycho-Social Competencies & Educational Strategies

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