Causes of Drug Initiation among Adolescents

Drug use is a behaviour frequently seen among adolescents. The World Drug Report draws attention to the increase in this phenomenon. The studies were undertaken to look for determinants that promote drug use and those that protect against reckless activities. It seems important to determine the causes of drug initiation. The presented study aimed to identify the determinants favouring first contact with drugs among adolescents. Eighteen respondents participated in the study. Purposive sampling was used and data were collected using categorized interviews. The exploratory nature of the interviews focused on obtaining information on three areas: family life, peer influences and the role of mass culture products. Education, financial background, and inquiries about life plans, dreams, and their realization were also recorded. The analysis of empirical data made it possible to establish interesting factors conducive to the respondents’ first contact with drugs both in the family environment, peer environment, but also related to popular culture, lifestyle, the influence of significant others, as well as to the dangers of the Internet. Established causes of drug initiations are indicated. The obtained results can be used in designing preventive interventions among adolescents. They can also be the basis for planning further studies with this group.

THE GENDER ASPECTS IN PROEIONAL SELF-ACTUATION OF FUTURE RESCUE WORKERS

the essence of such notions as “gender”, “gender symmetry”, “self-actuation”, is disclosed in the article; the gender equality implementation in the military environment, in women’s mastering the extremely hazardous professions and their self-fulfilment in this activity area is described; it is proved that the work on I-concept has facilitated (both males and females) to learn seeing their goals, to plan and attain tangible results in training and profession activities in the course of performing their duties; to understand their selves, their abilities and limitations, to learn manifesting their aptitudes and develop them actively, that is to work on fulfilment of their professional and life plans, therefore actuating themselves in future.

Regulatory Resources and Person’s Life Plans under Uncertainty Conditions during COVID-19 Lockdown in Russia

The research considers the problem of regulatory resources of the personal life plans in uncertain and unpredictable situations on the material of the COVID-19 pandemic spread in the world and in Russia. The study was conducted during a lockdown in Russia, in an online format, with the help of the Tilda Publishing block website builder and the Google Forms survey administration software. The study sample included 165 respondents aged 16 to 56 years. The Self-regulation Profile Questionnaire - SRPQM 2020 , The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, CES-D , and the authors questionnaire which includes a number of questions related to personal life plans and professional/educational curriculum were used for diagnose. The study results demonstrated that the higher conscious self-regulation development is associated with the higher person's clarity and understanding of the future plans, the more stable career path (including professional and educational goals), and the less actual depressive symptoms. And vice versa: the low level of the conscious self-regulation development correlates with the difficulties with considering the life plans, the fickleness of professional and educational goals, being affected by external factors, and with the pronounced actual manifestations of depression. The data obtained contribute to the development of ideas about the conscious self-regulation phenomenon and human regulatory resources ensuring stability of the personal life plans in situations of uncertainty and serving as a buffer that softens the impact of external stress factors and neutralizes their possible negative consequences.

Quarantine Understanding of Some Metaphysical Problems

The pandemic and the quarantine situation have had and continue to have multi-directional influence on the processes of social and individual life. From unprecedented acceleration and progress (in information technologies and getting involved with them) to slowdown, and sometimes full stop and stagnation (tourism business, transport sector). Comprehension of what is happening will be a long process. The authors propose to revaluate some metaphysical problems actualized by the experienced situation. These issues include virtual reality, which clearly defined its boundaries and it became clear that the state many plunged into in the process of quarantine and isolation is not a kind of it. The problem of social space, which has changed, intertwined, confused a person in his social roles and statuses. Physically, one place of stay at different times of the day with the help of information technologies was transformed into a space for work, scientific debate, education, family life, entertainment and even sports. The philosophical problem of uncertainty having left the theoretical discourse has directly invaded the lifeworld and everyday life of every person, influenced all spheres of life, plans and prospects for the future. Becoming a social reality uncertainty during a pandemic has acted as a factor that erodes the existence of people, their habitual, definable, measurable being, which begins to lose its characteristics, losing its identity. It becomes unpredictable, ambiguous, unplanned. Such a being casts doubt on many usual forms of organizing the achievement of results in almost any field of activity: setting a goal, choosing methods and systematic movement towards its implementation. That is how project thinking is realized. However, in a situation of total uncertainty, it begins to fail and turns out to be inefficient. A possible overcoming this situation is thinking aimed at realizing and «understanding real circumstances». Thinking that was appreciated primarily by Russian philosophers and the Eastern tradition of philosophy.

“There’s no reason to do monogamy”: Evidence for and Characteristics Associated with a Strong Desire for Consensual Nonmonogamy

Introduction Consensual nonmonogamy (CNM) is a form of relationship practiced by many despite widespread stigma against it. In this study, we explore evidence of strong, persistent desire for CNM among some individuals, and look for commonalities among these individuals. Method Between February 2019 and June 2020, we conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with 51 US adults who had practiced CNM for between 3 and 50 years, recruited via community contacts and snowball method. Participants reported a broad diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities; 62.7% reported European/white ancestry. We conducted thematic analysis to examine evidence of strong, persistent desire for CNM and common characteristics and experiences among participants. Results We describe 7 sub-themes that suggest a strong desire for CNM, such as pursuing CNM early in life, experiencing difficulties in attempts at monogamy, and describing one’s desire for CNM as enduring or unchangeable. We then describe 9 characteristics and experiences that were common among participants, such as a preference for autonomy, not experiencing categorical distinctions among relationships, desiring to make life plans with multiple adults, and exposure to communities whose norms do not assume monogamy. Conclusions Our data indicate a pattern of desires, life choices, and self-perceptions suggesting that some individuals strongly desire and persistently pursue CNM (whereas others appear to be comfortable with both CNM and monogamy). Policy Implications Our results suggest that some individuals consistently desire and pursue CNM relationships, and therefore would benefit from efforts toward destigmatization and reduction of institutional disadvantage against the practice of CNM.

FEATURES OF THE MOTIVATIONAL AND MEANING SPHERE OF YOUNG ADULTS WITH DIFFER-ENT TYPES OF CAREER PLANS COORDINATION IN THE PROFESSIONAL AND FAMILY SPHERE

Формирование жизненных планов в отношении карьеры в профессиональной и семейной сфере составляет задачу развития возрастного периода вхождения во взрослость. Транзитивность современного общества и трансформация института семьи определяют актуальность исследования типов согласования планов современной молодежи в сфере профессии и семьи. Исследована мотивационно-смысловая сфера молодых людей при различных типах согласования ими планов семейной и профессиональной карьер. Выявлены типы согласования карьерных планов в семейной и профессиональной сферах, изучены особенности мотивации при различных типах согласования карьерных планов, смысложизненных ориентаций молодых людей при различных типах согласования карьерных планов. Были использованы авторский опросник «Жизненные планы – семейная и профессиональная карьеры» и методика смысложизненных ориентаций (Д. А. Леонтьев). Выборку составили 167 студентов в возрасте от 17 до 22 лет. Выделены эмпирические типы согласования планов профессиональной и семейной карьеры (согласованность профессиональной и семейной карьеры при их высокой значимости, эгоцентрация при ориентации на профессиональную карьеру, приоритет семейной карьеры, приоритет профессиональной карьеры, негативное/незаинтересованное отношение к профессиональной и семейной сферам). Выявлены особенности мотивации для профессиональной сферы: возрастание значения социальной востребованности профессии и социального признания при согласованности карьерных планов и приоритет личных интересов при эгоцентрации. Для семейной сферы: возрастание мотивации избегания одиночества и воспитания детей при приоритете семейной карьеры, низкая мотивация воспитания детей – при приоритете профессиональной карьеры, негативном отношении к карьерным планам и эгоцентрации. Согласованность карьерных планов в профессиональной и семейной сфере связана с высокой осмысленностью жизни, переживанием ее наполненности событиями и достижениями. Formation of life plans for a career in the professional and family sphere is the development task of emerging adulthood. The transitivity of modern society and the transformation of the family institution determine the relevance of studying the types of coordination of plans of modern youth in the field of profession and family. The goal is to study the motivational and meaning sphere of young people with various types of coordination of plans for family and professional careers. Tasks: 1) identification of the types of career plans coordination in the family and professional spheres; 2) study of the features of motivation for various types of coordination of career plans; 3) the study of the life-meaning orientations of young people with various types of coordination of career plans. We used the author’s questionnaire «Life plans - family and professional careers» and the life-meaning orientations technique (D.A. Leontiev). The sample consisted of 167 students aged 17 to 22 years. Results. Empirical types of coordination of professional and family career plans (consistency of professional and family careers with their high significance, ego-centering in focusing on a professional career, priority of family career, priority of professional career, negative/disinterested attitude to professional and family spheres) are highlighted. The features of motivation for the professional sphere are revealed: the increase in the importance of the social relevance of the profession and social recognition motives with the coordination of career plans and the priority of personal interests in ego-centering. For the family sphere: an increase in motivation for avoiding loneliness and raising children with the priority of a family career, low motivation for raising children with a priority of a professional career, a negative attitude towards career plans and ego-centering. The consistency of career plans in the professional and family spheres is associated with a high meaningfulness of life, the experience of its fullness with events and achievements.

The youth of contemporary Belarus: Basic values, life plans and behavioral strategies

The article considers the transformation of basic values, life plans and behavioral strategies of the youth in contemporary Belarus. The changes in basic values are directly connected with the youths adaptation to the conditions of global instability. The new generation is sensitive to social injustice, violations of rights and freedoms, unwillingness to take into account their opinions on current issues of social development and the future. The self-perception of people regarding the possibility to realize basic values in the current social-economic conditions is an important factor of social stability. In both 1990 and 2018, family holds the first place among the basic values in Belarus; work takes the second place as a factor of decent life and familys success; the importance of friends and leisure remains the same over the decades, while the importance of politics and religion grows. International comparisons show that Belarus has the same hierarchy of values as European countries. The surveys prove a decrease in popularity of the traditional media among the youth and an increase in individualism, importance of personal self-realization in family and at work, and in reliance on ones own forces. In the public space, the needs and expectations of people have changed - there is an increase in political radicalization and critical perception of the most important events, which affects the behavioral patterns of social-demographic groups. Education together with the family and new information technologies have a significant impact on values - there is an intragenerational gap, alienation from society and increasing informatization. The article is based on the results of the sociological surveys conducted in the framework of the European Values Study (EVS) (the results of 1990 and 2018 are compared).

Impact of COVID-19 lockdown policy on the anxiety of the engineers-in-training in ABU Zaria Engineering Faculty in Nigeria

Anxiety is a public phenomenon that constitutes a public source of inadequate performance globally and plays a significant role in their lives. Engineering students and academics have been through immense changes in education because of the effect of the COVID-19 crisis. It is well-known that epidemics' occurrence creates or accentuates new stressors, including panic and fears for loved ones or oneself, constraints on social activities and physical movement due to quarantine, and unforeseen and radical change of lifestyle. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown policy on engineering students’ anxiety in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria. The study confirmed that the students had an increase in the anxiety level, in which the female student had a higher level of anxiety than the male students. The highest contributing factors to the anxiety include "worries about academic delays/extension of the academic calendar," "worries about a delay in life plans as a result of the suspension of school," and "worries about running out of supplies." The main areas that anxiety impacted the lives of the students include "a decline in book reading /studies/academics," "finding it hard to focus," "being unable to hang out with friends," and "difficulties in falling asleep." Finally, the students managed the level of anxiety mainly by "the use of internet/social media/chatting," "prayer/self-motivation/meditation/reflection," and "watching movies/TV/music."

PSYCHOLOGICAL PECULIARITIES OF SELF-DETERMINATION OF MODERN YOUTH

Adolescence is a sensitive period of an individual’s way of life projection through an ability of awareness its individuality and self-reflection, self-determination in social, personal, professional and other aspects of life, designing life plans and desire of conscious future’s planning. The purpose of the research is to determine psychological peculiarities of an ability to make a life choice in measuring the self-determination of the students. The self-determination of an individual is determination of the personal orientation vectors in different modes of life activity that is based on a life-sense search. The emergence of life plans in adolescence determines set for professional self-determination of youth that is involved in social production and labor activity that provides the process of “Me” ideas specification in a profession, career and professional plans. The study has been conducted at the National University of Ostroh Academy during 2019-2020. The sample was consisted of 50 respondents aged 20-25 at their 3rd-4th years of studying at different depatments and specialties. It has been diagnosed that the general level of modern youth’s ability to make own life choice is at a low level. During making important decisions, students have shown low ability to manifest independence in the process of self-determination, to resist the influence of others on this process. Due to the weakness of established life-based values, adolescents find it difficult to figure out optimal ways of their capabilities’ realization. Young people have demonstrated sufficient ability to analyze properly all aspects of the situation during making life decisions. Students have an inability of overcoming difficulties and obstacles in life, what prevent making balanced life decisions and the implementation of self-determination at the stage of choosing a profession and mastering professional activity. The inability of overcoming difficulties and obstacles fully prevents from own potential’s realization and taking opportunities, as well as making life balanced decisions, choices and perform self-determination of adolescents in general.