RESEARCH
RESEARCH
INTRODUCTION
actions of a sexual nature directed on men and women in public spaces. According to
nonverbal sexual attention, also aptly described as stranger harassment because the victim
and the perpetrator do not know each other. Catcalling maybe accompanied by whistles,
winks, or grabs (Bowman 1993. It involves brief, one-sided interactions in public places
(e.g., streets, public transit, shopping malls), and unlike quid pro quo harassment that
might occur in the workplace or educational settings, catcalling has no clear purpose other
than to call attention to a woman’s body or sexuality (Saunders et al. 2016). According to
Harrison and Selma (2005), men are known to be silent victims on sexual harassment
because they have the tendency to not talk about being victims of sexual harassment.
literature on street harassment, such as catcalling, is less explored (Farmer et al, 2017).
Self-esteem is an important construct that underlies and often helps to explain human
thoughts, feelings, and behavior. (Holloway and Franklin, 2016). It represents self-worth
and personal values, which are essential ingredients in preparing people to forgive
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
themselves, which in turn, may cultivate positive effects and cognitions that lead to
flourishing (Tiwari et al, 2023). Catcalling can have a negative impact on a person's self-
esteem, especially the individual being catcalled. It can make them feel objectified, unsafe,
Social interaction refer to the ways in which individuals or groups of people engage
with one another in a social setting. These interactions can take various forms, including
verbal and non-verbal communication, and they encompass a wide range of behaviors and
activities. Social interaction is associated with many effects on the psychological level of
adolescence such as mental health, self-esteem, and executive functions. The topic of
catcalling and its correlation with social interactions has been the subject of various
studies and research. Catcalling can lead to a breakdown of trust and a feeling of unsafely
in public spaces. A study in the "Journal of Gender Studies" in 2020 highlighted how
women often alter their behavior, such as avoiding certain areas or wearing specific
interactions.
This research is conducted to understand how catcalling affects the students. It helps
uncover the real-life consequences of street harassment within our academic community.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
By studying this, we can identify ways to support the students better and create a safer
environment. The findings will not only benefit the researchers but also contribute to
broader efforts to combat catcalling and promote respectful behavior. This research aims
to simplify the issue, make our campus safer, and encourage respectful social interactions.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the research design, variables, data gathering process,
Research Design
This study, a descriptive survey research design is used. This is to allow the researcher
to gather precise information on the study of the impact of catcalling on self-esteem and
social interaction of psychology students of St Paul University Surigao. The design was
deemed appropriate because it is most definitely the best method for gathering data for the
aforementioned objectives.
Variables
Catcalling .This variable is an independent variable and it refers to the unsolicited and
others in public spaces. This can include whistling, lewd remarks, sexual innuendos, and
other forms of harassment or objectification. It often takes place in public areas, such as
potential avoidance of certain social situations. It is important to note that these effects can
vary from person to person and may have different intensity and duration based on various
catcalling, their subjective opinion of their own self-worth and confidence is referred to as
in the context of catcalling is determined by how they interpret and emotionally process
such events, including whether they feel empowered and unaffected or weak and
threatened.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
The questionnaire was modified and was given to the adviser for checking and
approval. After the approval, the questionnaire was subjected to the validation of experts
and reliability tests. he final questionnaire was then made. It was administered using an
online platform where consent from the participants was also asked. After the participants
answered the questionnaire, the data collected were tallied, treated, and interpreted.
Instrument
The questionnaire was divided into three parts, for catcalling, self-esteem and social
interaction. For catcalling and self-esteem the instrument used is a questionnaire made by
the researchers. For social interaction, it was a modified questionnaire from the self-
report scale of Mattick and Clarke: Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) (1998). Part
frequency and location, personal experience, and impact to the respondents. Part 2 is on
the social interaction of the respondents after their encounters of catcalling. Part 3 is on the
self-esteem of the respondents and how catcalling affects their social self-esteem.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
Data Analysis
The following statistical tool was used to treat the data: Correlation/Pearson R. This
test statistics deals with the magnitude and direction of relationship between two variables.
relationship. The following were the basis for the interpretation of data:
0.00 no correlation
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
This chapter presents the result and discussion of the data gathering during the survey
Table 1 shows the correlation matrix between catcalling and social interaction as to the
In total, 50 participants are involved in the research. As shown in the table, the
Pearson’s R of catcalling and social interaction is 0.137. This means that the relationship
between catcalling and social interaction is weak positive correlation. As mentioned in the
data analysis, the basis for weak positive correlation is 0.10 and if we round the resulting
data to its nearest tenth we get the result of weak positive correlation.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
As shown in the table, the p-value or the significant difference of catcalling and social
interaction is 0.343. In our case, since it is correlational the p-value stands as the
relationship between the two. This means that the p-value (0.343) is greater than 0.05 thus
stating it is not significant. This shows that the effect is not strong enough, given the
something is wrong in their body, dress, or their action thus victims tend to present
themselves awkwardly in public places as strangers may catcall them which can also lead
to avoidance of interaction with others. Their findings show that the participants were
disconnected from their environment after being catcalled. Bowman (1993 cited in
2023) has further explained that catcalling reduces the physical and geographical
mobility of women preventing them from strolling alone in public space thus this
could be associated with the process of isolating women to the private space of the
home. Moreover, Saunders et al. (2016) with their published article entitled Contending
hostility.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
Table 2 shows the correlation matrix between catcalling and self-esteem as to the
As shown in the table, the Pearson’s R of catcalling and self-esteem is 0.099. This
means that the relationship between catcalling and self -esteem is also weak positive
correlation. As mentioned in the data analysis, the basis for weak positive correlation is
+0.10 and if we round the resulting data to its nearest tenth we get the result of weak
positive correlation.
As shown in the table, the p-value or the significant difference of catcalling and self-
esteem is 0.493. In our case, since it is correlational the p-value stands as the relationship
between the two. This means that the p-value (0.493) is greater than 0.05 thus stating it is
not significant. This shows that the effect is not strong enough, given the sample size, to
In line with this, Brosas et al. (2015) theorized that catcalling is the most experience
by undergraduate students, which makes them feel inferior and tends to lose their self-
confidence. While Gardner (1995) specified that public places are an accessory of injuring
an individual’s self-esteem by uttering offensive insults and whistles and since the
occurrence of these offensive comments and behaviors are repetitive, women often see the
problem and dissatisfaction of these acts as expressive of larger issues in their relations
with men. As stated by the participant, they are hesitant to walk alone, walk near a
crowded place, pass silently especially in a place with a group of males, and often
ask someone if she looks good before her appearance in public places (Baguidodol, 2023).
CONCLUSION
Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
revealed that there is no significant difference between the dependent and independent
variables, which are the relationship between catcalling and social interaction and ca-
REFERENCES
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
ing . pdf
Fairchild, K., Rudman, L.A. Everyday Stranger Harassment and Women’s Objectification
211-008-0073-0
(Farmer et al, 2017). Experiences of Women Coping With Catcalling Experiences in New
0.1080/08952833.2017.1373577?
fbclid=IwAR1fxgwaPSyqtjJTRXxTBoQpm2VdnbYlOpUAhi99KX_62WjntjgRlw
0ANI0
Garden (1995) Passing By: Gender and Public Harassment. Retrieved from : https://bo
oks.google.com.ph/books?
hl=en&lr=&id=va4wDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PR9&ots=zKeq6Zg0C8&sig=JdL
gkMvVAKApaQJ6iLDMMJobo&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
/ehost/detail/detail?vid=15&sid=4bcec23f-adf4-44f8-ba0f d97236fbd1fb%4
0redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=1419131&db=nlebk
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=wfft20
N. Baguidudol (2023). Catcalling in the Eyes of the University Students. Retrieved from :
https://namibian-studies.com/index.php/JNS/article/view/1692?fbclid=IwAR3-
OsdvO8a4JdVXoemaWLEnOIFm1h6Scx4LZqQ_QTardkalYVhTPCTFsp4
(Saunders et al. 2016). Contending with Catcalling: The Role of System-justifying Beliefs
SfGmhgEaQs1v3Vu504lurcvG1AOwJS2MppoTYLVg6FKnTuDeM
Tiwari, G. K., Pandey, R., Parihar, P., & Rai, P. K. (2023). Self-forgiveness and human
74676.2023.2238642
Mattick and Clarke: Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS) (1998) Retrieved from :
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/social-interaction-
anxiety-scale
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
RAW DATA
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
APPENDIX B
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE
Questionnaire
Age : Sexual Orientation :
Location (City/Region : Gender :
Catcalling
Instructions : For each statement or question, choose the option that best
represents your opinion or level of agreement with the statement.
1 – Totally agree
2 – Mostly agree
3 – Neutral
4 – Mostly disagree
5 – Totally disagree
Perceptions of Catcalling 1 2 3 4 5
1. I believe catcalling is a form of
harassment.
2. Catcalling is a prevalent issue in my
community
3. Catcalling should be taken more
seriously of society
Witnessing Catcalling
1. I have witnessed someone else
getting cat-called
Frequency and Location
1. Catcalling is most common in
public places.
Personal Experience
1. I have personally experienced
catcalling.
2. I feel really uncomfortable when
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
Social Interaction
Instructions : For each item, please check the number that indicate the degree
to which you feel the statement is characteristic or true for you. The rating
scale is as follows:
1= Not at all characteristic or true of me.
2= Slightly characteristic or true of me.
3=Moderately characteristic or true of me.
4= Very characteristic or true of me.
5= Extremely characteristic or true of me..
1 2 3 4 5
1. I have difficulty making eye contact
with others.
2. I find it difficult to mix comfortably
with the people I work with.
3. I tense up if I meet an acquaintance
in the street.
4. When mixing socially, I am
uncomfortable.
5. I feel tense if I am alone with just
one other person.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines
Social Self-esteem
Instructions : Please read each statement carefully and check the box that
indicates how much you agree or disagree with it based on your own feelings
and experiences. Use the following scale:
1 – Totally agree
2 – Mostly agree
3 – Neutral
4 – Mostly disagree
5 – Totally disagree
1 2 3 4 5
1. I sometimes doubt my self-worth.
2. I certainly feel pathetic at times.
3. At times I’m not that confident of
being myself.
4. I am sometimes concerned about
my appearance.
5. I have difficulty on knowing who to
trust and when to trust.
6. I sometimes blame myself for being
catcalled.
St. Paul University Surigao
St. Paul University System
Surigao City, Philippines