Conscious self-regulation as resource for overcoming stress and achieving subjective well-being: ethno-regional specificity

Abstract

Background. The problem of maintaining subjective well-being in situations of uncertainty becomes extremely relevant in the context of the global challenges of modern society. The significant role of conscious self-regulation (SR) in achieving subjective well-being has been shown in samples of students at various levels of education, but has not yet been considered in samples of young people from various ethno-regional groups. The study of cross-cultural aspects of SR influence on subjective well-being in conditions of uncertainty is intended to supplement this section of psychological knowledge and is in demand by modern psychological practice in the regions characterized by ethnocultural diversity. 

Objective. The study had its purpose to reveal ethno-regional specifics in the relationship of conscious self-regulation, tolerance to uncertainty, levels of stress, aggression, and subjective well-being. 

Methods. The diagnostic complex included V.I. Morosanova’s questionnaire “Style of self-regulation of behavior, SSPM-2020”, the questionnaire for diagnosing the subjective well-being of a person by R.M. Shamionov, T.V. Beskova; the questionnaire of tolerance / intolerance to uncertainty by T.V. Kornilova and M.A. Chumakova, the questionnaire of perceived stress by T. Young, the questionnaire for diagnosing aggression by S.N. Enikolopov, N.P. Tsibulsky. 

Sample. The study involved 1099 respondents aged 16 to 35 years (679 women) from the Karachay-Circassian Republic, the Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, the Stavropol Territory, Moscow and the Moscow Region. 

Results. A path analysis of the connection between conscious self-regulation and subjective well-being was carried out for 7 ethno-regional groups of respondents. This allowed for establishing both direct and indirect (through reduction of stress and aggression) effect of the SR component “persistence” on the subjective well-being of participants. Along with general patterns, the study revealed the ethno-regional specificity of the resource role of conscious SR in achieving subjective well-being. For the dominant ethnic groups, SR components “modeling”, “persistence”, and “reliability” serve as the resources of subjective well-being. Intolerance to uncertainty turned to be a predictor of their subjective well-being. For the non-dominant ethnic groups, SR components “planning”, “persistence”, and “reliability” serve as the resources of subjective well-being. Tolerance to uncertainty is predicting their subjective well-being. 

Conclusion. The study provides empirical evidence of the direct and indirect influence of the conscious SR components on the level of subjective well-being of the young people in various ethno-regional groups.

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