I-functions of external and internal differentiation of the girls with tattoos with different body image

Khmelevskaia Ol'ga Evgenievna ORCID: 0000-0003-2731-8855 PhD in Psychology Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, Pacific State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 690002, Russia, Primorskii krai, g. Vladivostok, pr. Ostryakova, 2 ug223@mail.ru

Timoshenko Svetlana Vladimirovna Student, Department of Clinical Psychology, Pacific State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation 690002, Russia, Primorskii krai, g. Vladivostok, pr. Ostryakova, 2 nya_9999@mail.ru

Introduction

The relevance of the study is indicated by the trends towards the masculinization of society: the birth rate is decreasing, the demographic situation is changing, women are making efforts to free themselves from the pressure of society and transfer the functions of upbringing to a man, ensuring the material prosperity of the family. In view of such changes in the public role, women strive to gain masculinity by pumping up muscles, doing sports, various types of wrestling, wearing men's clothes, losing part of their femininity. This often leads to a violation of adaptation, increased aggressiveness, excessive cruelty, overwhelming fear, the inability to build close relationships, the inability to self-actualize, sexuality, the ability to enjoy yourself and your activities ^[1]. There is an increase in people with gender dysphoria and incongruence, eating disorders, rejection of their own body. The increase in the number of women tattooing their bodies, their desire to change something in their bodily appearance, is now very common. All these may be the reasons for tattooing.

Justification of the problem

The image of one's body is a self-presentation of the personality, a representation of one's own appearance, mentality and behavior. Physicality participates in interpersonal communication and determines the quality of a person's life ^[20]. The imposition of unrealistic beauty standards by society distorts the perception of one's body, its image. There is a "normative dissatisfaction with the body", anxiety and anxiety about the "imperfection" of one's body arises and is maintained ^[19]. This contributes to the rejection of one's body, the creation of its negative image, leads to eating disorders, affective disorders, psychological maladaptation ^[20].

 In G. Ammon's research on primary, secondary and central Self-functions (various elements of personality), it was noted that these functions form the basis of the Self or the core of the personality ^[15]. In the course of ontogenesis, when interacting with the surrounding reality, these humanstructural functions form a person's personality: primary Self-functions provide biological and neurophysiological functions of the body, while secondary ones are responsible for the skills and abilities of the individual, as well as for maintaining the central structures of personality. Secondary functions (G. Ammon calls them behavioral functions) include mental processes, affects, language, motor skills, the ability to dream, and the protective mechanisms of the Ego. The content of the central Self–functions are mostly unconscious structures, which include Self-delineation, reflecting the internal and external boundaries of personality ^[1]. Such boundaries are formed in interaction with the surrounding world and allow a person not to merge with the environment, to be an individual, to preserve identity. Constructive inner Self-differentiation flexibly regulates the boundaries between intrapersonal phenomena, such as mental processes, interpersonal communication, reality and sleep. Destructive inner Self-delineation rigidly delimits internal personal processes, as a result, behavior has an inflexible character, there are no dreams or there are few of them, their content is scarce, and communication is formal. Even more difficult is the experience of a deficient inner Self-differentiation: the personality turns out to be unprotected from unconscious impulses, there is a "flooding" of empty dreams and feelings, it is unproductive. Thus, the inner Self-delineation is the central humanstructural function responsible for maintaining boundaries between the internal processes taking place in the real person and the dream world, between the Self and the surrounding world. Constructive self-delineation does not allow merging or re-identification to occur.

It regulates interpersonal relationships, helps to overcome symbiosis and gain autonomy. Destructive external Self-differentiation rigidly establishes barriers between a person and other people. A deficient external Self-differentiation indicates the impossibility of regulating relations with the world, distinguishing one's Self from non-Self, getting out of symbiosis and forming autonomy. Modern studies of the central Self-functions affect various aspects of personality, including the existing body image.

The central Self-functions of a woman determine the attitude to a changing body due to any changes that occur. It has been established that I-functions are involved in the formation of attitudes to their sexuality ^[13], determining the style of experiencing pregnancy. And dominant deficient or destructive central functions create a risk of forming an inadequate style of experiencing pregnancy ^{[3; 12]}.  The deformation of the initially constructive central Self-functions occurs due to dysfunctional interaction in the family, in the reference group, due to rigid cultural stereotypes, etc.

Subsequently, adaptation in society is disrupted in children, adolescents and adults, manifested in the form of excessive cruelty, overwhelming fear or inability to build close relationships with anyone, the sphere of self-realization, sexuality and, in general, the ability to enjoy oneself and one's activities suffers, that is, the quality of life decreases ^[1]. Studies also note a distortion of the central Self-functions due to the violence experienced earlier ^[24]. 

Body tattooing has been observed since ancient times not only as an ornament, but also as a sign of a tribe, clan, social affiliation. Ancient people endowed a tattoo with magical power that protects against evil spirits. Tattooing was more common among peoples with fair skin. In the modern world, tattooing is a phenomenon that is actively gaining popularity. The comprehensive definition of a tattoo was given by A. Borokhov. So, by a tattoo he understands, and with him we understand, "a conscious artificial violation of the integrity of the skin by means of piercing and cutting tools, followed by the introduction of coloring substances into the wound surface in order to obtain persistent non-disappearing images"^[4].

According to the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion (VTsIOM), in 2019, on average, about 11% of Russians had tattoos ^[9]. It should be noted that the study of tattoos is more often carried out by anthropologists, sociologists, psychiatrists and criminologists. Thus, two types of personal self-identification are considered - social and personal, different motivations for tattooing are described. The article presents "the typology of modern tattooing by place in social space: tattooing in a "large" society and tattooing in "closed" social groups (army, navy, prison)" ^[7]. Tattoos are divided into types and depending on the gender aspect: transmitting the gender identity of the wearer; neutral; with gender transgression ^[6]. There are three types of motivational reasons for tattooing on your body: "fashionable" to meet the standards of authoritative people for them; "creative" for self-expression; "demonstrative" ^[8]. It should be noted that tattooing is a way of symbolic integration with society, communication with it and the construction of one's own identity ^[7].In law enforcement studies, tattooing is associated with deviant behavior and a form of autoaggression, which is considered as a bodily modification.

Thus, it was found that "minors with body modifications have an increased level of auto-destruction and a tendency to deviant behavior, and also that this category of minors is more prone to addictive behavior in contrast to their peers" ^[10]

Of interest is the multi-axis classification of tattoos for the integral assessment of the manifestations of the psychopathology of the personality of the wearer made by A. D. Borokhov, who proposes to put forward an integrative assessment of the manifestations of personality psychopathology according to three parameters: visual characteristics (axis "A"), group affiliation (ethnic, professional, criminal community, etc. Axis "B"), semantic load (decorative, memorable, criminal, etc. Axis "C") ^{[4; 5]}.

E. S. Beketova, summarizing the data of already conducted studies, conducts a psychological analysis of the tattoos made and their impact on the state of personality. The author pays attention to the psychological characteristics of a person with a tattoo, the motives of the application, the theme of the tattoo done. She found that "women with bodily modifications are significantly more likely to mention the motive of self-expression, while women without bodily modifications are significantly more likely to mention the motive of attracting attention, shocking" ^[2].

Tattoos are presented as "an element of the socio-model culture of modern society." So O. A. Ovsyannikova analyzes the process of perception of tattoos in society and, first of all, in the sociodel culture. The author has compiled a classification of people who have a tattoo on their body ^[17].

According to I.A. Grinko, body modifications are a universal phenomenon that occurs in almost all cultures, performing the following functions: marking (denotes age, gender, social or ethnicity), ritually socializing, aesthetic, apothecary (the function of a talisman) ^[11]. The communicative body is open to the world, it is "open" and exists in the modes of the inner and outer body. The body has the means to express itself, it is scenic. In the direction of the world, the ethos of physicality arises. Such a body creates special ways of existence. ^[27]

Researchers present physicality as an integrative phenomenon that influences and determines the value-semantic sphere, experiences, relationships, etc. The concept of the "image of one's own body" by O.A. Skugarevsky, who pointed out the importance of the body image in the formation of eating disorders in women, is based on the perception of the body image and its characteristics. ^{[14; 18; 20; 22]}. In addition, the works devoted to the study of body image consider, in particular, the attitude to the body of patients with connective tissue dysplasia syndrome ^[28], gender differences in sexuality ^[23], body weight ^[26].

It should be noted that, studying the literature on the issue of interest, we have not found any works devoted to the connection of tattoos with the awareness of the boundaries of one's physicality, the role of tattoos in adapting to society. This problem needs careful consideration. The article presents a pilot study performed on a primary sample.

The subject of this work was the I-functions of external and internal differentiation in girls with tattoos with different body image.

The hypotheses of the study suggest that the central I-functions of external and internal delineation in girls with tattoos with different body image differ and there is a relationship between the I-functions of external and internal delineation and the existing body image in girls with tattoos.

The purpose of the study: to determine the features of the central Self-functions of external and internal differentiation in girls with tattoos with different body image and to establish the presence / absence of existing connections.

Materials and methods

The representativeness of the sample is ensured by a simple random selection of respondents in accordance with the purpose of the study. The sample characteristics are the average values of the studied features, the mode and the median.

Due to the difficulties of recruiting respondents during isolation in the conditions of the covid pandemic, 62 girls with tattoos living in the city of Vladivostok participated in an empirical online study. At the time of the empirical study, their age was 22.48 ± 2.16 g (Mo=21, Me=22). The respondents had higher education or were in the process of obtaining it. All participants of the study understood the essence of the study and gave informed voluntary consent to be included in the study. Personal data was encrypted and hidden, the participants were identified by the assigned individual code. Thus, the ethical principles in the study were observed.

Methods

Special methodological principles formulated in the works of G. Ammon on humanstructural functions ^[1] and O. A. Skugarevsky on body image as a complex construct including perceptual and evaluative components ^[20] determined the choice of tools. The research uses the following methods: I am the G. Ammon Structural Test (ISTA), adapted by Yu. Ya. Tupitsin et al. ^[25] and the Questionnaire of O. A. Skugarevsky and S. V. Sivukh's own Body Image ^[21], mathematical processing was carried out using the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. The calculations were made in the IBM SPSS Statistics v23 package.

ResultsQuestionnaire of the image of one's own body by O.A. Skugarevsky and S.V. Sivukha.

The sample was randomly divided into two groups of the same quantitative composition: with a positive and negative body image. In the group with a positive body image, the bimodality of the distribution was revealed (two modes, indicating the heterogeneity of our sample and the two most common values in it (Table 1). Bimodality also indicated two different types of girls included in the sample.

Table 1. Measures of the central trend according to the OOST methodology of O.A. Skugarevsky and S.V. SivukhaN

Note: N is the number of respondents, M is the average, Mo is the mode, Me is the median, ? is the standard deviation

O.A. Skugarevsky points out that a positive body image is evaluated in points from 1 to 12 inclusive ^[21]. The bimodality of the distribution was revealed. The girls in this group have a fashion value of 5 found in five people and also five people have a fashion value of 12. The median value divided the sample into 16 and 15 girls, respectively. Eight respondents experience pronounced satisfaction with their body, while the remaining eight simply have a positive attitude to their body image. Girls accept their body, but respondents with values below seven more often do not criticize their body image, accepting their uniqueness completely. Five people from this part of the sample have extreme positive values with a tendency to switch to values that characterize a negative body image. These girls are more likely to have a positive attitude to the body, but in a situation of frustration, they may show unreasonable criticism of their body image in their assessments. The values of fashion and median in girls with a positive body image are in the range of values M+ ?.

Negative body image is estimated by O.A. Skugarevsky at 13 points and higher ^[21]. In the second group of respondents, the value of 14 points (Mo) is found in seven girls, the median divided the sample into 13 and 18 girls, respectively. Eighteen people can talk about pronounced dissatisfaction with their body image, while the assessment of their body in other girls may not be so unambiguously negative. In both subgroups, girls have a low opinion about their appearance, but respondents with values less than 18 in a favorable environment can change their opinion about their physicality to a positive one. At the same time, all girls with a negative idea of their body image tend to shut themselves off from society, worry more, they have an increased risk of getting an eating disorder (bulimia nervosa and anorexia), low self-esteem. The values of fashion and median in girls with a negative body image also fall within the range of values M ± ?. The median does not differ from the mean in both groups, and the values of the standard deviation indicate a fairly large spread in both groups.

Based on the goal of the study, groups with different body image were divided into subgroups according to the scales of external and internal Self-differentiation.

Figure 1 shows a comparison of constructive, destructive and deficient scales of internal and external Self-delineation in girls with tattoos with different body image. The subgroups are dominated by deficient external and internal Self-differentiation. This indicates difficulties in establishing and maintaining personal boundaries and their super-permeability, as well as, as a result, a violation of communicative ties with other people. Deficits of internal and external boundaries are predictors of disorders and inconsistencies in the personal structure, lack of resources to maintain somatopsychic health.

Figure 1 shows the differences between the constructive scales of inner Self-differentiation in girls with tattoos with positive and negative body image. For girls with a positive body image, the inner Self is more constructive. These subjects are aware of their subjectivity as continuous. They are better versed in their inner world, are able to "test" reality for safety, and also cope better with strong manifestations of feelings such as euphoria, fear, sadness, not letting them overwhelm themselves.

Figure 1. Comparison of ISTA results on the scales of internal and external Self-differentiation between groups with positive and negative body imageThere is also a difference between the destructive manifestations of the inner Self-limitation.

In girls with destructive manifestations of inner Self-delineation, the boundaries are rigid, rigid and represent a barrier between personality and society, body and psyche. Hence, there is a disharmony of existing emotions and bodily sensations. These respondents are predisposed to psychosomatic diseases, self-harm, increased traumatization. In addition, girls with a negative body image are less prone to fantasizing, emotions, they are more often confused about their past.

The studied girls with a positive body image have more pronounced values on the Scale of constructive external Self-differentiation. They integrate new experiences better, they can control their emotions and experiences. Their communication is flexible, they are sociable, able to establish contacts with people and interrupt them without feeling guilty or incompetent.

The values of Destructive external Self-delineation are more pronounced in girls with tattoos who have a negative body image. Because of this, they may avoid communication, have no friends and close acquaintances, and experience discomfort when someone shows interest in their person. Girls with tattoos and with a negative body image complain about the feeling of emptiness inside and the difficulty in realizing their emotions and the emotions of other people, which is an obstacle in showing compassion to others.

Thus, girls with tattoos with different body image are equally often satisfied and dissatisfied with themselves, their appearance and body.  Positive ideas about one's own body are accompanied by self-confidence and stable self-esteem, while negative ones entail isolation, anxiety and low self-esteem. In girls with tattoos, scarcity dominates in the blocks of external and internal Self-differentiation, but at the same time girls with a positive body image are more constructive in comparison with girls whose body image is negative.

Significant differences (asymptotic values less than 0.05) were found between the values of the ISTA scales of constructive and destructive external Self-delineation, constructive internal Self-delineation. The results are presented in table 2.

Table 2. Results of comparison of ISTA scales of internal and external Self-differentiation between groups with positive and negative body image

Table 2 shows the results of the comparison: girls with tattoos with a positive body image are able to justify their point of view, adequately perceive criticism, other views and other opinions. They learn new experiences more easily and integrate freely into society. Respondents belonging to this group establish close relationships so as not to forget about themselves, their personality, emotions experienced and existing needs, understanding and accepting other people. Respondents with a negative body image have difficulties in communication, try to isolate themselves from contacts, preferring loneliness, not feeling involved in what is happening around them, feeling spiritual emptiness and low mood.

Thus, the statistical analysis made it possible to determine the differences in groups with positive and negative body image according to the scales External Self-constructive differentiation (Asimp value -0,000), External Self-destructive differentiation (Asimp value -0,001), Internal Self-constructive differentiation (Asimp value -0,000), Internal Self-destructive differentiation (Asimp value -0.011). The significance level based on the asymptotic distribution of statistics is 0.05. The calculations performed showed that the asymptotic values obtained within the criterion were less than 0.05. The Kronbach alpha of 0.161 indicated the breadth of the measured construct of the I–image, its non-specificity and inhomogeneity, and the non-determinism of the studied phenomenon by only some factors. At the same time, the alpha value is in a positive range and can be considered as a result in the study.

Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test the hypothesis of a relationship between the scales. The data is presented in table 3.

Table 3. Results of Spearman correlation coefficient of ISTA scales of internal and external Self-delineationISTA Scales

Note. * – significant differences at the level of p ? 0.05

A weak negative relationship of the external constructive Self-delineation with the body image was revealed (p ? 0.05). This relationship indicates the inverse relationship of the two values: the more pronounced the negative image of the body, the less the constructive component will be expressed in the external Self-differentiation.

Conclusions1. The study of the central Self-functions of external and internal differentiation in girls with tattoos with different body image is of interest to psychologists, because the features of the parts of the personality associated with the manifestation of self and awareness of their physicality are identified and evaluated.

2. The study of the central Self-functions of girls with tattoos with different body image are few or none at all. At the same time, their study is of interest to psychologists, because the features of the parts of the personality associated with the manifestation of oneself, with the awareness of one's physicality are identified and evaluated.

3. The hypothesis that the humanstructural Self-functions of external and internal differentiation differ in girls with tattoos with different body image has been confirmed. Significant differences were identified on the scales of constructive and destructive external Self-delineation and constructive internal Self-delineation.

4. The hypothesis of the existence of a relationship between the I-functions of external and internal differentiation and the existing body image of girls with tattoos is partially confirmed. A weak negative connection of the external constructive Self-delineation with the body image was revealed.

5. Girls with tattoos and a positive body image experience fewer difficulties in integrating their life experience compared to girls with tattoos and a negative body image. They are sociable and build successful relationships with other people, being aware of their own and others' bodily boundaries.

5. The findings obtained in the study can help to find points of support for restoring the quality of life of girls with tattoos who have deformed Self-functions and a negative body image. The analysis of the measures of the central trend according to the methodology of O.A. Skugarevsky and S.V. Sivukha, the analysis showed that half of the respondents have positive ideas about their own body, which reduces the risk of various disorders, but the other half of the respondents are dissatisfied with their body, so they have an increased risk of acquiring adaptation disorders, eating behavior or dysmorphic disorders.

6. The topic of research on the psychological functions of tattoos in girls should be continued due to the low level of knowledge of the phenomenon.

7. The study was carried out on a small sample, which significantly narrows the possibility of using the results obtained. There is a need to conduct it on an extended sample.