Social Factors and Psychological Predictors of Life Satisfaction at Military Institutes

Abstract

The research identifies the relationship between satisfaction with the way of life and various socio-psychological factors. The study involved 1–5-year male cadets of a military university (N=255, average age = 20,2 years). To identify factors that influence cadets' satisfaction with their lifestyle, the authors used proprietary techniques, a questionnaire for diagnosing the level of social frustration by L. I. Wasserman modified by V. V. Boiko, and the methodology of the study of value orientations by M. Rokich. The study showed the dependence of the factors determining the cadets' satisfaction with the way of life on the year of study. For junior students, it was the military team factors and the place of the individual in the team. For graduates, the most significant factors were those that emphasized their belonging to the military community. The most significant predictors of lifestyle satisfaction were the characteristics of a subjective assessment of one’s status in a military team, a positive assessment of professional choice, and conditions of service and prospects after graduation.