Project Title: Exploring the Motivations and Perceived Psychological

Health Benefits of Acquiring Tattoos

Project Category: Community Project Proposal

Researcher/s: Maria Bianca Carrillo, Bernadette Cabangcala, Sygrid

Marie Libungan, Merlene Mae Factor, Gerald Aquino,
Cyrus Villamor, Ann Marie Alarba, Kimberly Aurello,
Fatima Usman, Shamel Cabuguas, Aleah Punsica
Phone/Email: 09151959206, carrillomariabianca@gmail.com

Research Adviser: Myla Gabinete

Phone/Email: 09758478116, myla.gabinete5300@deped.gov

Name of School: Palawan National School

School Address: H. Mendoza Street, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
Research Period: March 2023 - June 2023

Contents:

Part I. RESEARCH PLAN

a. Rationale
b. Research Question(s), Expected Outcome(s)
c. Research Methods
c.1 Procedures
c.2 Data Analysis
d. Bibliography
Part II. ISEF FORMS
Part III. RESEARCH ABSTRACT
Part IV. RESEARCH PAPER
a. Preliminaries
 b. Chapter 1
c. Chapter 2
d. Chapter 3
e. Chapter 4
f. Chapter 5
g. Appendices
Part IV. RESEARCH LOGBOOK (DAILY LOGS)
 RESEARCH PLAN

A. Rationale
Tattooing has been a prevalent aspect throughout human history, thriving on the
desire of people to permanently express themselves as individuals. (Serup et al. 2015) In
the Philippines, tattooing has been a part of the country's culture since pre-colonial times.
This practice is deeply embedded in Filipino heritage and can be traced back to
neighboring countries where tattoos also held significant cultural meanings. (Santander,
2020) In global contemporary culture, tattoos are primarily seen as decorative and are
embraced by people of various genders, ages, and ethnicities across social classes. (Serup
et al. 2015) However, getting a tattoo has often been linked to nonconformist conduct.
The public continues to hold a negative perception of individuals with tattoos, resulting
in a lingering stigma. These negative impressions may persist despite people having
various reasons for getting tattoos. It is crucial to acknowledge that the reasons for getting
a tattoo and the symbolism behind it can vary widely, therefore, it is important to
understand the diversity of motivations. (Feeney, 2016) Comprehending the motivations
behind individuals opting to undergo a procedure wherein ink is injected beneath their
skin, thereby leaving a permanent mark, poses a challenging task. This phenomenon is
subject to various interpretations and viewpoints. (Gredona and Tibayan, 2019) In the
Philippines, tattoos are frequently linked to negative stereotypes, such as criminality and
deviance. As a result, individuals with tattoos often face negative judgments and
discrimination in both social situations and the workplace. (Ladao et al, 2019) Thus, the
lack of understanding of the factors that motivate individuals' decisions to get tattoos can
lead to misconceptions and stigmatization of tattooed individuals. Conducting this
research to explore the motivations and perceived psychological health benefits of
acquiring tattoos can help identify patterns and trends in tattooing, identify the key factors
that influence these decisions, and gain an in-depth understanding of the psychological
health benefits perceived by individuals who acquire tattoos.

B. Research Question(s), Expected Outcome(s)

Research Questions
This study aimed to explore the motivations behind getting tattoos and the
perceived psychological health benefits of having tattoos among individuals who have
acquired tattoos at Palawan National School.
Specifically, this study sought answers to the following questions:
1. What are the characteristics of tattoos the respondents have in terms of:
1.1 Type
1.2 Meaning
2. What are the motivations of the respondents to acquire tattoos?
3. What are the psychological health benefits of tattooing as perceived by the
respondents in terms of:
3.1 Emotional health benefit
3.2 Social health benefit
3.3 Mental health benefit

Expected Outcomes
The study aimed to produce a video documentary that summarized the findings
and insights derived from the research. The documentary provided a comprehensive
outlook on the motivations of individuals to acquire tattoos, including personal
experiences and beliefs, artistic expression, and identity formation. It also delved into the
diverse psychological health benefits perceived by individuals who acquired tattoos. In
essence, the documentary offered valuable information for individuals who were
considering getting tattoos and those interested in comprehending the cognitive
psychology involved in the practice.

C. Research Methods
Procedures
The researchers will employ a purposive sampling technique in selecting the
participants of the study. Purposive sampling is a non-probability sampling technique
used in research where participants are deliberately chosen based on specific
characteristics or qualities that align with the research objectives. (Bryman, 2012) This
method allowed the researchers to select participants within the Palawan National School
Community who have acquired tattoos to gather detailed data on the participants'
motivations and perceived psychological benefits of getting tattoos. An interview guide
is used as a method to collect the necessary data. An interview guide can be a structured,
semi-structured or unstructured set of questions designed to guide the interviewer during
an interview process, ensuring consistency and a systematic approach to gathering
information from participants. (Pryce, 2014)
Data Analysis
The researchers analyzed the data gathered using thematic analysis and coding for
a case study. The thematic analysis involves identifying patterns and themes within a
dataset, allowing researchers to gain insights into the underlying meanings and
experiences of the participants. (Braun and Clarke, 2019) Coding, an integral part of
thematic analysis, involves systematically categorizing and labeling segments of data to
capture the relevant themes and concepts. (Saldaña, 2019)

D. BIBLIOGRAPHY

J. Serup, M. Sepehri, and K. Hutton Carlsen, "Tattooing," in Dermatology and Tattooing,

ed. D. J. Elston (Wiley-Blackwell, 2015), 1-14.
P. Santander, "Skin-deep identity: Philippine tattoo culture and its intersections," Inter-
Asia Cultural Studies 21, no. 1 (2020): 72-89,
https://doi.org/10.1080/14649373.2020.1739721.
M. Feeney, "Ties that bind: Tattoos, identity, and the social reality of Filipino American
sailors," Amerasia Journal 42, no. 3 (2016): 109-126,,
https://doi.org/10.17953/amer.42.3.d628445155664271.
R. Gredona and R. Tibayan, "Mga patik, padala, at pisara: Isang paglalakbay sa
katutubong sining ng pag-tattoo sa Cordillera," Hukay 21 (2019): 87-107,
https://doi.org/10.31793/hukay2020195.
F. J. Ladao, M. A. Maggay, and E. Villanueva, "The societal implications of tattoo stigma
in the Philippines," Philippine Sociological Review 67, no. 1 (2019): 45-67,
accessed March 20, 2023, https://www.jstor.org/stable/26788338.
Alan Bryman, Social Research Methods, 4th ed. Oxford University Press. 2012.
Amanda Pryce, "Interview Guide," in The Handbook of Interview Research, edited by J.
David Weiss. (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2014). 89-104.
V. Braun and V. Clarke, "Thematic Analysis," in APA Handbook of Research Methods in
Psychology, Vol 2: Research Designs: Quantitative, Qualitative,
Neuropsychological, and Biological, edited by H. Cooper et al. (American
Psychological Association, 2019), pp. 1-16.
J. Saldaña, The Coding Manual for Qualitative Researchers, 3rd ed. (Sage Publications,
2019).
 ABSTRACT

This research study titled “Exploring the Motivations and Perceived Psychological Health
Benefits of Acquiring Tattoos,” aimed to explore the motivations behind acquiring tattoos
and the perceived psychological health benefits associated with them. The study
specifically focused on individuals who have acquired tattoos at Palawan National School
in the Philippines. A qualitative research case study approach was employed, utilizing
purposive sampling to select participants who had acquired tattoos. Data was collected
through one-on-one interviews using an interview guide with open-ended questions.
Thematic analysis and coding were employed to analyze the data and identify patterns
and themes within the dataset.
The findings of the study revealed various motivations for acquiring tattoos, including
self-expression, personal identity, aesthetics, and cultural or religious significance.
Tattoos were also found to serve as forms of body art and social connection,
commemorating important life events and fostering a sense of belonging to specific social
groups. The perceived psychological health benefits associated with tattoos included
enhanced self-esteem, empowerment, and self-acceptance. Tattoos were also found to
facilitate social interactions, increase social connectedness, and act as a form of art
therapy for emotional regulation.
The significance of the study lies in its potential to reduce stereotypes, improve mental
health support, and inform the public about the motivations and psychological health
benefits of acquiring tattoos. The study's findings may also contribute to the development
of new treatments, therapies, and further research in this area. However, it is important to
note that the study's scope was limited to the perceptions of psychological health benefits
and did not verify the actual physiological health benefits of getting tattoos. The
generalizability of the findings was also restricted to the Palawan National School
community and may not apply to other cultural contexts.