Virtual And Real Interaction In Young People And Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

The article presents comparative analysis of the indicators of real and virtual interaction with Others, as well as analysis and interpretation of the interconnection between various forms of social activity and components of subjective well-being in young people. The authors of the study propose the model of correspondence between real and virtual environments in the process of social activity’s manifestation. The study discovers and interprets the interconnection between various forms of young people’s social activity and various components of subjective well-being. 764 respondents participated in the study, the mean age was 19.7 years (64.5% were females). In the course of the study we used the scales for measuring the level of various forms of social activity, the unique scales for assessing the respondents’ interaction with others in the real and virtual environment. As a result of the study we singled out the following components of interaction and the environments of their priority manifestation. The organizational component is primarily implemented in a virtual environment. The analytical and evaluative component is mainly implemented in the real environment; the operational-activity component of interaction can be implemented both in the real and virtual environments. Social activity of an individual does not always lead to an increase in subjective well-being. It depends on the specific form, purpose and content of social activity. The regulator of interconnection between social activity and subjective well-being is correspondence between the expected result and the process of social activity manifestation, as well as the subject’s real life circumstances.