Loob & Ledger
The study

“Retirement Plan Yarn?”

Isang Korelasyonal na Pag-aaral ng Utang na Loob at Obligasyon sa Pamilya ng mga Kabataang Pilipino. A correlational study of utang na loob and family obligation among Filipino youth.

By Judea C. Santiago, Rhealyn G. Pangan, Ahrianna Nicole G. Suaybaguio, Pearll Alexis P. Tagubase · University of Caloocan City, BS Psychology, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Prepared as part of the course Kontekstwalisadong Komunikasyon sa Filipino, July 2026.

The question

Does a higher level of utang na loob sa pamilya go along with a higher level of obligasyon sa pamilya? The study does not claim one causes the other. It asks whether there is a statistically significant relationship between the two.

Utang na loob sa pamilya

Recognizing and valuing the sacrifices and care received from family, and the wish to return the kindness received.

Obligasyon sa pamilya

A child’s responsibility to show care, give support, help, and fulfill duties within the family.

Framework

Two traditions, one question. Utang na loob comes from Filipino Psychology. Family obligation comes from Social Psychology.

Filipino Psychology
Social Psychology
Utang na loob sa pamilya
Obligasyon sa pamilya
Significant relationship? (Pearson r)

Hypotheses

H₀ · Null
There is no significant relationship between the level of utang na loob sa pamilya and the level of obligasyon sa pamilya of Filipino youth.
H₁ · Alternative
There is a significant relationship between the two.
H₂ · Directional
A higher level of utang na loob sa pamilya goes with a higher level of obligasyon sa pamilya.

Who and how

  • Respondents. Filipino youth aged 18–25 who are college students at the University of Caloocan City, Congress Campus, in academic year 2026–2027.
  • Design. Quantitative and correlational. The researchers do not manipulate either variable.
  • Instrument. A researcher-made questionnaire in three parts: demographic profile (age, sex, educational level, program), 15 items on utang na loob, and 15 items on family obligation, answered on a 5-point Likert scale from “Lubos na Hindi Sumasang-ayon” (1) to “Lubos na Sumasang-ayon” (5).
  • Analysis. Frequency and percentage for the profile; weighted mean and standard deviation for each variable; one-way ANOVA for differences by age and educational level; Pearson product-moment correlation for the main question.

How scores are read

Interpretation of mean scores
Mean scoreLevelIn English
4.21–5.00NapakataasVery high
3.41–4.20MataasHigh
2.61–3.40KatamtamanModerate
1.81–2.60MababaLow
1.00–1.80NapakababaVery low

What the study will not claim

It will not say utang na loob causes family obligation, or the reverse. It will not cover other Filipino Psychology concepts, other campuses, or people outside its sample. Results will reflect the honesty and mood of the respondents’ answers. These limits come from the proposal itself.

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