Theoretical and Experimental Psychology. 2025. 4.

Abstract

Background. The paper addresses the pressing issue of developing scientific understanding of the psychological characteristics of contemporary Russian students in today's rapidly changing world. It also provides methodological foundations for selecting scientific approaches and methods for conducting large-scale screening studies of psychological well-being, professional development, stress levels, and psychological coping resources among Russian students.

Objective. A theoretical, methodological, and empirical investigation of the influence of stress, personal and regulatory resources on the psychological well-being and professional development of Russian students, including a cross-regional aspect.

Study Participants. The empirical study was conducted on a large sample of Russian students (N = 2,303) aged 16 to 27 years (59.5% — female), including 1,162 college students and 1,140 university students. For cross-regional comparison, a sample (766 students) was drawn from three regions of the Russian Federation with objectively different stress loads: Central Russia (Moscow and Kaluga), Donbass (Donetsk), and Crimea (Sevastopol).

Methods. A set of modern, valid, and reliable methods relevant for the large-scale research included The "Subjective and Objective Uncertainty Stress" Questionnaire (SOUS), the Short "Acute and Chronic Stress" Questionnaire (ACS), the Morossanova's "Self-Regulation Profile" Questionnaire (SRPQM 2020), the Dispositional Optimism Test — Revised (DOT-R), the Short Version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI-15), the Well-Being Manifestation Measure Scale (WBMMS), and the Career Adapt-Abilities Scale (CAAS). JASP software and the R environment were used for statistical processing. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis (Pearson), and group comparison methods (t-test for independent samples, Kruskal — Wallis test).

Results. Russian students in the surveyed sample are, on average, characterized by a moderate severity of stress and possess the personality and regulatory resources developed to a level enabling them to effectively cope with modern challenges, as reflected in their relatively high indicators of psychological well-being and professional development. The study has identified and described statistically significant differences in the levels of uncertainty stress (acute/chronic, subjective/objective), psychological well-being, professional adaptability, and psychological resources (conscious self-regulation, dispositional optimism, and future orientation) between males and females, college and university students, and between students residing in the regions with varying stress loads.

Conclusions. Russian students in general possess sufficient personal and regulatory resources to cope with the challenges of uncertainty. The identified differences based on gender, education stage, and stress load in the region of residence should be taken in account when developing student psychological support programs.

Abstract

Background. The study is driven by current trends of expanding globalization, intercultural communication, and international migration.

Objective. To analyze the influence of the cultural and social environment on the ethnic auto- and hetero stereotypes of Chinese respondents living abroad.

Study Participants. The study involved 404 Chinese students (54.5% males) aged 18 to 35 (mean age 20.4±2.7), from multiple educational levels, residing in four countries (China, USA, Japan, and Russia).

Methods. To obtain empirical data, the study implemented the psycho-semantic method “Ethnic Image”, which contains 74 items describing the characteristics of various ethnic groups. The subjects for evaluation included 17 nationalities represented in the consciousness of Chinese respondents.

Results. The study has identified the categories defining the semantic space of the ethnic consciousness of Chinese respondents: 1. Positive attitude, 2. Hostility, 3. Civilized behavior, 4. Ethnic exogamy, 5. Cultural insularity, 6. National values and traditions, 7. Liberal and democratic values, 8. Deviance. The data analysis demonstrated the nature of changes in the ethnic worldview depending on cultural influences.

Conclusions. The categories of the semantic space are more stable entities and are less susceptible to changes compared to the attitudes toward different ethnic groups, which vary depending on the country of residence. The assessment of one's own and other ethnic groups is influenced by the history of relationships between these ethnicities and the homeland as well as the geopolitical and cultural context of the place of residence. Respondents living outside their homeland exhibit a broader understanding of the cultural and social characteristics of other ethnic groups.

Abstract

Background. In Russian psychology, there is a shortage of experimental research on the attitudes toward the death penalty (DP) as a source of opinion polarization, as well as its dynamics in the context of a group discussion. Studying the dynamics of these attitudes during group discussions allows to identify patterns of opinion polarization and the influence of social interaction mechanisms on the polarization process. Understanding this phenomenon is important for modern psychology in the context of increasing polarization in society.

Objective. To study the dynamics of attitudes towards DP among students in a group discussion.

Study Participants. The total sample consisted of 88 people aged 18 to 22 years. Sample 1 (2024) — students, N = 56 (41% boys), 55% studying, 45% combining work and study. Sample 2 (2025) — students, N = 32 (25% boys), 51% studying, 49% combining work and study.

Methods. An online survey; the experiment implementing a group discussion were conducted twice with different samples: in 2024 and in 2025 (one year after the terrorist attack at a Moscow shopping and entertainment center). Attitudes toward DP were measured on a 10-point Likert scale. Changes in attitudes toward DP from the first to the second measurement (before and after the group discussion) were compared in the control and experimental groups. Data processing included descriptive statistics and a significance analysis of differences; comparisons of indicators were conducted using the Wilcoxon criterion.

Results. In Experiment 1, differences between the two measures of attitudes toward DP were significant in the "DP supporters" and "Doubters" subgroups. In Experiment 2, significant differences were found between the two measures only in the experimental group — discussion participants; no differences were found in the control group.

Conclusions. Public presentation of opinions and discussion regarding abolition of the moratorium on the death penalty in Russia among student participants in the experiment are essential conditions for the dynamics of attitudes toward DP, leading to a shift in opinions toward lower approval of DP among representatives of both the "inert" and "polarized" subgroups. The study design and results obtained have practical implications for the development of experimental approaches to studying public opinion polarization processes.

Abstract

Background. The study of critical thinking is driven by the need to develop a vital competence — critical evaluation of information in the context of digitalization, while theoretical ambiguity in its conceptualization persists.

Objectives. Theoretical and empirical identification of an "orientation towards doubt" as a stable critical thinking disposition, and the development of a model linking critical thinking with intrinsic motivation.

Study Participants. The study involved 78 respondents aged 17 to 50 years (M_age = 23.01; SD = 9.12; 72 women), students in psychology.

Methods. The research had a correlational design. Syllogistic reasoning tasks were used to assess critical thinking skill. The study implemented the following methods: to assess critical thinking dispositions — scales of Cognitive Flexibility Questionnaire, Need for Cognition Scale, and Wason four-card selection modification tasks; to assess different aspects of motivation — the Academic Motivation Scale and a modified version of involuntary text memorization tasks (psychology-themed). Correlation analysis and structural modeling were used to process quantitative data.

Results. The study developed general and specific path models linking critical thinking and intrinsic motivation, both demonstrating good fit with empirical data. The analysis presented correlations between variables and summary tables of regression coefficients. Results show that orientation towards doubt has a statistically significant effect on critical thinking skills, while critical thinking dispositions show no predictive relationship with skills performance. Content-related intrinsic motivation at the dispositional level can act as a mediator for orientation towards doubt. Formal-dynamic intrinsic motivation significantly influences critical thinking dispositions.

Conclusions. The study enabled the identification of a key critical thinking disposition — orientation towards doubt, which is a better predictor of its effectiveness compared to other dispositions. The developed model specifies the relationship between critical thinking and intrinsic motivation, demonstrating that the content-related intrinsic motivation (related to subject-specific characteristics) can be a better predictor than the formal-dynamic aspect (associated with enjoyment of the activity).

Abstract

Background. The relevance of the study stems from the parents' need for navigating the rapidly changing children's toy market, which has evolved significantly over recent decades. This research focuses on the parents' attitudes toward the psychological and pedagogical expertise of children's toys and the types of labeling they consider when making purchase decisions.

Objectives. The study aims to determine whether parents' attitudes toward the psychological and pedagogical expertise of toys differ depending on their education level and age. It also investigates whether parents who pay attention to toy labeling consider psychological and pedagogical expertise to be necessary.

Study Participants. The study involved 42,864 parents: 41,551 women and 1,313 men from various regions of the Russian Federation.

Methods. The data was collected using a questionnaire survey of parents of preschoolers. Mathematical processing was carried out by means of Jamovi statistical program, using Chi-square criterion and z-criterion for independent samples.

Results. The analysis revealed that 70% of parents pay attention to toy labeling: the most important indicators for them are recommended age, environmental safety, and information about developmental qualities, whereas specialists' approval and country of origin are rated as least important. Approximately 65% of parents consider psychological and pedagogical toy expertise to be a necessary procedure, with the majority favoring mandatory forms of expertise. Interest in specific types of labels correlates with support for different expertise models: parents who focus on "specialist's approval" or "country of origin" are more likely to support mandatory and prohibitive expertise, while interest in "developmental qualities" correlates with support for a recommendatory form of expertise.

Conclusions. The study highlights the growing importance of toy labeling and psychological-pedagogical expertise for parents and underscores the need for further development of criteria and procedures of toy expertise in the contemporary socio-cultural context.

Abstract

Background. Parent–child communication about children's experiences in kindergarten is an essential factor in emotional development and the formation of extra-situational personal communication. However, the content and regularity of such conversations have not been sufficiently explored.

Objective. To identify the regularity and topics of conversations between parents and preschool children in relation to different parenting styles and socio-demographic characteristics.

Study Participants. The study involved 42,864 parents of children attending kindergartens in various regions of Russia (96,9% women, mostly between the ages of 27 and 45).

Methods. An online survey of parents of preschool children was conducted using a questionnaire developed and updated under the supervision of V.S. Sobkin and I.A. Ryabkova. Data analysis was carried out in SPSS Statistics 22.

Results. Most parents regularly discuss the child's day, with particular attention to impressions, emotions, and peer relationships. Such conversations more often occur among mothers, younger parents, and parents with higher education. Parents with a democratic parenting style show greater involvement in children's emotional experiences and their relationships with peers, whereas those with a liberal style show the lowest interest in this area. Authoritarian and disengaged parenting styles are also associated with reduced attention to emotional aspects of the child's experiences. Comparison with data from studies conducted in 1997 and 2007 demonstrates changes in parents' views on parenting and in the content of communication about kindergarten over time.

Conclusion. Parenting style plays a significant role in organizing parent–child communication. A democratic parenting style appears most beneficial for the development of extra-situational personal communication, as well as for fostering a child's ability to reflect on their emotions and social experience.

Abstract

Background. The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) is used by modern specialists as the main instrument for screening and monitoring studies of fatigue in clinical and population samples.

Objectives. The aim of this study was to adapt the full (Fatigue Severity Scale-9, FSS-9) and two short Russian versions of the Fatigue Severity Scale (Fatigue Severity Scale-7, FSS-7; Fatigue Severity Scale-3, FSS-3) in a non-clinical sample.

Study Participants. The study involved 526 respondents (264 men and 262 women) aged 18 to 74 years (M = 48.2; Me = 46; SD = 13.9).

Methods. In addition to the FSS, the study participants completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21).

Results. The full and two short versions of the FSS have a one-factor structure in which all points on the scale are included in the general factor. The internal reliability is proved by means of adequate Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω coefficients. Convergent validity is confirmed by positive correlations of fatigue severity indicators according to all FSS versions with depression, anxiety, and stress indicators according to DASS-21.

Conclusions. The Russian versions of the Fatigue Severity Scale are psychometrically consistent and can be recommended for use in scientific research with population samples.

Abstract

Background. Uncertainty in illness is a perceptual and cognitive state ranging from feelings of insecurity to complete ambiguity, characterized by its dynamic nature and accompanied by both positive and negative emotions. It is considered as a significant factor influencing the mental state and adaptation process of patients with chronic diseases. Valid instruments are required for the assessment of this phenomenon across diverse patient groups.

Objective. Adaptation and validation the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale — MUIS-A (adult form) on the Russian sample of patients with malignant neoplasms and cardiovascular diseases.

Study Participants. 299 patients aged 18 to 85 years, including 247 diagnosed with cancer and 52 — with cardiovascular diseases.

Methods. Participants completed the following questionnaires: Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS-A), COPE inventory, Self-efficacy Assessment Regarding Treatment Questionary, Beck's Anxiety and Depression Inventories (BAI, BDI). Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, bifactor modeling ESEM, reliability assessment (GLB, Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients), comparative analysis (Welch's t-test), and correlation analysis (Pearson's correlation coefficient).

Results. The MUIS-A demonstrated sensitivity to differences in levels of uncertainty in illness across the studied groups. Thus, cancer patients turned to have higher uncertainty in illness. Structural analysis and factor inter-correlations suggest a construction with one common factor ("general uncertainty") including four specific factors ("ambiguity", "complexity", "inconsistency", "unpredictability"). Reliability of both common and specific factors ranged from moderate to high. Convergent validity was confirmed by significant correlations of the questionnaire factors with coping strategies, treatment-related self-efficacy, indicators of anxiety and depression.

Conclusions. The MUIS-A adapted in Russian is a reliable and valid instrument sensitive to the psychological state of patients with various illnesses. The MUIS-A can be used for comprehensive assessment of the mental state and adaptive processes in Russian-speaking patients with different diseases.

Abstract

Background. Development and validation of tools for identifying stress-associated somatic manifestations are of great importance for clinical and psychological practice. Currently, there is a deficit of validated questionnaires for detecting stress-related somatization that provide comprehensive coverage of physiological systems. The development of a new questionnaire will create opportunities for studying the structure and mechanisms of somatic stress reactions, including the assessment of rarely analyzed but significant symptoms of stress experience, such as bruxism and masticatory muscle parafunctions. At the first stage, the development and theoretical justification of the new questionnaire were carried out. The present study represents the second stage of primary validation, including the assessment of psychometric properties prior to large-scale testing.

Objective. To conduct an initial psychometric validation of a new questionnaire for assessing somatic manifestations of stress in adults, including symptoms of bruxism and related masticatory muscle parafunctions.

Study Participants. Validation was conducted on 501 adult respondents (331 women and 170 men, aged 18–65, median age 42). Additional 50 participants (aged 22–70, median age 36) were involved in testing the questionnaire formulations.

Methods. A socio-demographic questionnaire, the Somatic Assessment of Stress Symptoms (55 items), and the following psychometric scales were used: PSM-25, Hamilton Anxiety Scale, Zung Depression Scale, Freiburg Personality Inventory, the Brief Resilience Scale, and PHQ-15. The correlation between the questionnaire and the external scales was assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. The factorial structure of the questionnaire was evaluated by confirmatory factor analysis. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega coefficients (ωh, ωt), and G6 (Guttman’s Lambda 6).

Results. The questionnaire demonstrated high reliability, validity, and significant test-retest stability.

Conclusions. The developed questionnaire exhibits satisfactory psychometric properties and is, in fact, the first tool capable of comprehensively identifying stress-associated somatic manifestations in adults. It covers a wide range of physiological systems and includes specific manifestations such as bruxism and masticatory muscle parafunctions, which have not previously been integrated into similar instruments. Accordingly, this tool can be recommended for subsequent studies, allowing further clarification of its validity, representativeness, and practical value in clinical and psychological practice.

Abstract

Background. In the context of a fast-paced lifestyle and high stress levels, assessing and managing psycho-emotional states has become an important task. Traditional methods, such as questionnaires, have limited accuracy due to the subjectivity of data, whereas physiological approaches, including the measurement of galvanic skin response (GSR), provide an objective assessment. However, existing devices for GSR recording are bulky and expensive, which limits their application. This article explores the possibility of using a portable biofeedback system (BFS) based on GSR.

Objective. Development and testing of a portable biofeedback system (BFS) based on GSR, which combines sufficient measurement accuracy, ease of use, and the ability to integrate into daily life.

Study Participants. A total of 43 individuals participated in the study.

Methods. Comparative and correlational analyses were performed on data obtained from a portable GSR sensor and a laboratory EEG (NVX36). Data acquisition took place during a psycho-emotional task. A study was conducted to determine the optimal sensor placement using descriptive and comparative methods. Regression analysis was performed to configure the mobile application algorithm. A visualization was developed within the application to assess the user's psycho-emotional state. Data visualization and graph analysis were employed at all stages.

Results. The developed sensor demonstrated results comparable to laboratory equipment, despite a slight delay in response. The fingers were identified to be the optimal placement for the sensor, as the signal from them is clearer and more stable. The mobile application algorithm effectively aids in training emotional self-regulation.

Conclusions. The portable BOS system based on GSR demonstrates sufficient accuracy and convenience, making it promising for everyday use. The results of this work can be applied to further research in the field of portable devices aimed at self-regulation training.