Public Opinion Foundation Research Articles

The historical memory of Russians in sociological surveys: foundations, reality, problems

The publication presents an analysis of the materials of the surveys of the FCTAS RAS, the Interregional Social Science Study "The Future of Russia", the Levada Center and the Public Opinion Foundation for the last two decades, covering historical topics. The aim of the study was to identify the main characteristics of the historical consciousness and the state of the historical memory of Russians at present. Studies by sociological centres in recent years show that the historical knowledge of a large part of Russians is fragmentary, comes from different sources, and is not always correct. Many events and personalities are mixed up in consciousness, or even forgotten altogether. Moreover, this phenomenon refers not only to distant events in history, known exclusively from textbooks, but also to decades directly related to the person´s life. Choosing between various historical alternatives of the country's future vision, Russians to a greater extent are focused on neutral ideas of strengthening Russia's position in the external and internal arena, whilst the ideas of an “Orthodox state”, a turn towards Europe or Eurasianism do not find major support among the population. With major contribution by the authorities the Great Patriotic War at present is the main historical event, overshadowing all the others. At the same time, the constant emphasis on the war theme and on heroic moments, combined with the levelling of tragic ones, causes a distorted perception of the event among a part of the population. In addition, the interpretation of history (especially during the Great Patriotic War) becomes the arena of a "political war." Various political forces give their own interpretation of events, that can both confuse some citizens and, on the other hand, form irreconcilable ideological opponents. The memory of the war is becoming more and more mythologised as a consequence of the fact that its real participants are gradually passing away. In connection with all above, current and future generations will have to look for grains of truth in a highly politicised and sometimes deceptive information field. The correct perspective of raising the awareness of the Russian population, “clarifying historical consciousness” is seen in a multifaceted historical discourse with the participation of professional historians, openness to any discussion, and broader media coverage.

To the problem of excessive alcohol consumption in Russian families

The article is devoted to the analysis of alcoholism in Russian families. The author gives a brief excurse into the history of alcohol consumption, dispels the myth that the Russian people never controlled consumption of alcoholic beverages. The work, relying on the latest statistics, demonstrated that despite the emerging positive trends in this area, the level of alcohol consumption (especially strong alcohol) in Russia is still very high and significantly exceeds the conditionally safe norm indicated by the WHO experts. It negatively affects the life expectancy of the Russian population, especially among men of working age. However, if previously alcoholism was predominantly masculine, today this type of addiction is becoming gender-neutral and women drink on a par with men, which will inevitably lead to an increase in mortality from alcohol-related causes among them.Particular attention is paid to the problems of families facing the problem of alcoholism among one or several of their members. It is emphasized that children are the most vulnerable in this situation because of their dependence on adults — they are not able to change the situation and are forced to live in constant conflict, stress and ill-treatment. The author notes that the violence to which not only children, but also other family members are subjected to in alcoholic families, is far from rare and extremely dangerous.The paper addresses the issue of the influence of alcoholism of adult family members on children's health. Children of dependent parents are often born sick and lag behind in physical and mental development. This is further aggravated by upbringing in an atmosphere of alcoholism, which leads to the fact that the younger generation perceives excessive alcohol consumption as the norm, adopts the habits of parents and also become dependent. Children of drinking parents also experience many complexities of a personal and interpersonal nature and are prone to auto-aggressive behavior.In conclusion, the author addresses the problem of social orphanhood arising from alcohol abuse by parents, as well as its consequences.The empirical part of the work is based on data from the World Health Organization, the Federal State Statistics Service, the Public Opinion Foundation and the All-Russian Center for the Study of Public Opinion.The article will be of interest to specialists in the field of sociology of family and health, prevention of addictive behavior, rehabilitation of people with addictions, and students of relevant specialties.

Социологический анализ представлений студенческой молодежи о дружбе как социально-культурном феномене

Friendship is a socio-cultural phenomenon, the nature of which is influenced by historical, cultural, political, economic conditions, as well as the values of society. The understanding of friendship transforms as society evolves. The young people’s ideas are of great interest for research, since the young generation expresses values that will replace the existing ones. The objectives of this study are to determine how friendships are formed, to identify factors that affect friendly relations and their duration, to characterize students’ ideas about friendship. The paper presents the results of a sociological study that was conducted by a questionnaire survey of 350 students at the Kuban State Technological University. A secondary analysis of the results of sociological research conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Research Center and the Public Opinion Foundation was also carried out. It is concluded that young people have fewer barriers to friendship, including its new forms.

THE PLACE OF FRIENDLY RELATIONS IN THE FORMATION OF YOUNG PEOPLE'S IDEAS ABOUT THE GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR

The article presents the results of a secondary analysis of data from the study "The Attitude of students to the Great Patriotic war", conducted on the initiative of the Russian society of sociologists, by a research team led by Yuri Vishnevsky, as well as research materials from the Public opinion Foundation. The author, based on the interpretation of the respondents 'answers to the questionnaire questions:" who do you talk to most often about the great Patriotic war? And what would your friends do (in the context of: "What would your friends do if the war started?")", - analyzes the place of friendly relations in the formation of modern youth's ideas about the war of the Soviet people in 1941-1945. Regardless of the religion (Orthodoxy, Islam, Buddhism, atheism), the possible professional trajectory, as well as the specialty acquired at the University (technical, humanitarian, socio-economic, natural science), the phenomenon of friendship plays a significant role in shaping the worldview of young people. The article assesses the effectiveness of using such a methodological technique as a projective situation in a sociological survey, which allows showing the attitude to patriotism through the hypothetical behavior of friends, and evaluating the possible vector of actions in a hypothetical, critical situation limited by certain circumstances and conditions. There is freedom of assessment and independence of respondents positions. Proposals are formulated to improve the methodological and content apparatus of future research. Possible directions of the state policy on search for modern forms of additional education, volunteer projects that involve young people in the process of active participation in the events and results of the second world war and increase the interest of young people in obtaining objective data on the history of Russia are noted.

Репродуктивные установки россиян и отношение к государственным мерам поддержки рождаемости

Статья написана на основе опроса, выполненного Фондом «Общественное мнение» по заказу Агентства стратегических инициатив, а также других опросов ФОМ. Исследование посвящено репродуктивным установкам женщин в возрасте 18-45 лет и мужчин 18-55 лет, а также оценке ими существующих и предполагаемых мер пронаталистской политики и их эффективности. 
 Результаты опроса показывают, что наиболее распространенная желаемая модель семьи по количеству детей за 10 лет не изменилась и остается двухдетной. Однако на сегодняшний день намерения многих россиян «отстают» от их желаний. Так, лишь четверть опрошенных планируют завести еще одного ребенка. Остальных чаще всего останавливает отсутствие стабильных источников дохода, достаточных для рождения и воспитания еще одного ребенка. Поэтому (хотя и не только) наиболее популярными мерами демографической политики сегодня являются материальные: материнский капитал за рождение второго ребенка (опрос был проведен еще до введения такового и за первого ребенка), погашение обязательств по ипотечным кредитам для многодетных семей, ежемесячное пособие по уходу за ребенком до полутора лет.
 Демографы, однако, сомневаются в эффективности подобных мер, с точки зрения повышения рождаемости. Данные опросов в некотором смысле это подтверждают. Несмотря на то, что опрошенные верят, что демографическая политика влияет на рождаемость, лишь немногие сами учитывали ее при принятии решения о том, заводить ребенка или нет.

Behavioral Economics: Examining the Population’s Expectations and Strategies

The presented study analyzes the expectations and strategies of individuals in their economic behavior. Aim . The study aims to identify the major trends in the transformation of the population’s behavioral models in the field of economic decisions, primarily with regard to the implementation of savings strategies. Tasks . The authors compare data for 2007(2010)–2019 on the structure of application of financial income, on how the population evaluates the favorability of conditions for making major purchases, on the existence of savings and potential for their growth, minimum amount and purpose of savings. Methods . This study uses such methods as collection and comparative analysis of data from the Federal State Statistics Service, National Agency for Financial Studies (NAFI), Public Opinion Foundation (FOM), and the results of a study conducted by the Institute of Socio-Economic Studies of Population of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ISESP RAS), which describes a number of directions of the monetary behavior of Russian people. Results . The dynamics of changes in the economic strategies and expectations of the population during the examined period is shown. The results of the analysis of data published by the Federal State Statistics Service are confirmed by sociological surveys: Russian people increasingly tend to apply conservative economic strategies and show a lack of optimism in their estimates. In terms of savings, there is a visible reduction in opportunities for savings and in the assessment of the amount that is called ‘savings’. Conclusions . The transformation of economic behavior is affected by factors associated with rational reasons for making certain decisions and with mental (psychological) motives for choosing a strategy. Changes in the models of savings behavior, which is the most common subject of Russian scientists, are caused by socio-economic factors (external influence) and previous practical experience (internal influence).

MONITORING PUBLIC ATTITUDE TO THE WORK OF POLICE IN KEMEROVO REGION - KUZBASS (BASED ON REGIONAL STUDIES)

The article aims to present a comparative analysis of the results of opinion polls conducted by all-Russian public opinion centers and regional research organizations regarding the work of the police based on the case of one division of the Siberian Federal District - Kemerovo Region - Kuzbass. It is noted that conducting such research acts as a kind of “feedback” tool between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the public and is basically aimed at identifying the dynamics of current results and existing problems in the work of police officers. At the same time, the authors compare polls of different types (mass and online polls) and levels (federal or regional), which allows for a better analysis of the issue. The article analyzes data for the last few years obtained by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM), the All-Russian Research Institute of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, the Siberian Politics Foundation and the Centre for Regional Social and Political Research at the Institute of History and International Relations of Kemerovo State University. The main issues that are constantly monitored by the leadership of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and representing the subjects of tudy for opinion surveys include the degree of protection of the population, the level of trust to police officers, performance assessment, the degree of victimization of the population (whether a person was subjected to criminal attacks or not for over the past 12 months). The study made it possible to see the weak and strong aspects of both the survey results themselves using the case of the region and to trace the similarities and differences in the public evaluation throughout the country and in Kuzbass. For example, online polls in Kuzbass conducted in September 2020 against the background of the COVID: pandemic showed a “surge” of protest potential in the responses. In general, the study concluded that federal results tend to color the real situation offering a certain generalized result across the country, while the level of regional research is more objective in reflecting the real situation.

Политическая активность российской молодёжи: современные тенденции развития

The purpose of the study was to identify trends in the forms and directions of political activity of Russian youth over the past decade. Methodology and Approach. During the research, the methods of questioning, observation and content analysis were used. In the course of the research, we analyzed the results of the author’s empirical research and data from various research centers (VCIOM, The Public Opinion Foundation, Levada-Center), as well as materials and statistics presented on the Internet. Results. The main forms of political activity of young people were identified and characterized: electoral participation, participation in the activities of youth socio - political organizations and movements, participation in the activities of youth representative institutions under government bodies, professional (socio-political) activities. Technologies of political activity of youth are considered. Theoretical / Practical implications. The article systematizes data on the forms of political activity of young people, identifies trends in their development in modern conditions. The focus on the development of subject-subject relations between the state and youth through the creation of conditions and the use of technologies to involve the young generation in social and political life is revealed.

Raising environmental awareness as a meaningful factor of integrated waste management in Moscow

The article is aimed at evaluating the prospects of promoting environmental awareness among the population in Moscow. To meet the goal, the author analyzed foreign studies on environmental awareness- building. The following methods were used during the research: the investigation of the legal and regulatory framework, analysis of surveys performed by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) and Levada Analytical Center, content analysis of the Moscow media sources with the use of the Public.ru database, and exploration of TV programs on Moscow 24 channel. The research indicated the key problem that is a low engagement of the population into the practice of separate waste collection. It undermines the process of integrated waste management in Moscow. The author uses a public-opinion survey to identify the reasons for such low engagement of the population. Those reasons include the lack of time for sorting, the lack of space in an apartment for arranging waste sorting, the lack of trust in a newly established infrastructure. The conclusion is that it is necessary to not only conduct awareness-raising campaigns but to educate the population as well. It is reasonable to arrange lessons on environmental protection to foster environmental awareness in children. When conducting awareness-raising campaigns, it is important to focus on increasing public confidence in the established infrastructure. For example, it makes sense to share information about transporting garbage from containers to sorting stations, and demonstrate how the sorting stations operate.

Медиаобраз и политический имидж: закономерности корреляции двух конструктов

The article examines the phenomenon of media image and political image. The material for the study was the media representation of V. Zhirinovsky and K. Sobchak as candidates for the presidency of Russian Federation in the fields of television (in the information and socio-political programs of First Channel, ARTRBC (“Russia 1”, “Russia 24”), NTV, “RenTV”, Fifth Channel, “TV Center”) and the Internet (materials of news portals “RIA News”, “REGNUM”, “TASS”, “Interfax”, “Izvestia”, “Vedomosti”, “Meduza”; posts in social networks “VKontakte”, “Facebook”). The methods of contentanalysis, intent-analysis (through the system “Medialogia”), secondary data analysis — the results of sociological studies of All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center (ARPORC), Public Opinion Foundation (POF), Levada Center and the presidential elections in Russia. Chronological framework of the study: November 2017 — March 2018. The author comes to the conclusion about the existence of interdependence and conditional identity of the phenomenon of political image and media image, which influence the construction of each other. At the same time, excessive mediatization of political actors (outside the respective ritualized locales and contexts) leads to their self-discredit — the loss of the “credibility” of both the potential and the real electorate.

On the social content of local self-government

The author argues that the social studies devoted to the Russian local self-government are dominated by uncritical borrowing of the basic vocabulary and the axiomatics of the municipal law. Such studies reproduce ideal concepts enshrined in the legislation and legal doctrine to substitute for the critical analysis of the social reality processes. To understand the true meaning of what is referred to as local self-government the author proposes to consider the correlation between the legal-dogmatic concept and the results of empirical research. For that purpose, three constitutive features of local self-government are singled out: inclusiveness, accessibility and autonomy of local authorities. Analyzing the data of the public opinion surveys, the author observes the lack of public confidence in the municipal authorities, their distancing from the local communities and proximity to the regional government. As an example, the author examines cancelation of direct elections of heads of municipalities which brings into sharp focus contradictions between actual processes and the local self-government theory. At the same time, public perceptions of local self-government as a value and a directly observed phenomenon remain uncertain. Based on the results of the analysis, the author concludes that there is a principal divergence between the reality and the normative conception of local self-government which raises the issue of its rethinking in social sciences. The basis of the study is the data of the nationwide representative surveys conducted by the Institute of Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Russian Public Opinion Research Center and the Public Opinion Foundation.
 Acknowledgment. The paper is supported by the Russian Science Foundation, project no. 14-28-00218-II “Dynamics of social transformation in modern Russia in socio-economic, political, socio-cultural and ethno-religious contexts”.

SOCIAL ASPECTS OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AMONG THE FEMALE POPULATION IN RUSSIA

The article is devoted to the analysis of reproductive health among Russian women of childbearing age as one of the main components of population’s health and demographic development of Russia. The aim of the article is to assess the most important indicators of women’s reproductive health in Russia, such as the sickness rate preceding and during the pregnancy, the level of infertility, the prevalence of abortions and its dynamics, infant, perinatal and maternal mortality. Artificial termination of pregnancy is considered as the main indicator of reproductive health. Noting the positive trend in reducing the number of abortions, the author shows the differences in this indicator between Russia and other developed countries with a similar legislation on abortion. The article also touches the dynamics of infant and maternal mortality, and the problem of infertility. The author notes that it is necessary to predict, diagnose and correct the reproductive health of women of childbearing age by improving the culture of health with the aim of increasing the reproductive potential of the population of Russia. The empirical base is the data of the Federal State Statistics Service, the Public Opinion Foundation, the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center and the World Health Organization concerning the reproductive health of Russian women. This article will be of interest to specialists in the field of the sociology of medicine, the sociology of the family and demography, as well as readers interested in the social aspects of reproductive health in Russia. The materials of the article will be useful for healthcare professionals, social workers, sociological and demographic community, university students.

Analysis of some eastern and western regions of Russia in the field of ICT development

Objectives: To study the difference in ICT development in the regions of the North-West Federal District and the Far Eastern Federal District. Methods/Statistical Analysis: It involves the method of analysis and synthesis. It includes, Statistical analysis of databases of Public Opinion Foundation, Institute for the Development of the Information Society (Moscow) and results of researches of the Russian scientists. Findings: Today the history of origin and development, perspective of functioning of social networks gradually turn into one of the relevant directions of scientific research, and attracts interest of representatives of different sciences: from philosophers, sociologists, economists, to experts in the sphere of ICT. In general, regions of the North Western Federal District are more prepared for development of information society. Both the populous nature of the European part of the Russian Federation, and proximity to more developed countries affects such differences. As shown by the analysis, dynamics of indexes of 2008 in regions of the FEFD goes more actively, than in regions of the North-Western Federal District. More careful research is already on and more modern data is required precisely to define growth rates of readiness of information society of the NW and the East of Russia and to make expert recommendations for further development of this area. Information or digital inequality of Russian regions can both strengthen the developed regional differentiation, and to level its existing destructive manifestations on the basis of innovative reorientation from regions, resource-intensive on the information strategy of the social and economic development. Application/Improvements: Based on this analysis, we can see the problems of the development of the digital society and try to solve them. Keywords: Communications, Digital Economy, ICT, Network Communities, Region

PUBLIC LEISURE PRACTICES IN RUSSIA: STATUS DISTINCTIONS AND STRUCTURAL FEATURES

This paper focuses on the structure of public leisure practices in Russia. The interest in this topic is based on the idea that lifestyle can reflect social structure of society. Public leisure activities are considered to be the field of symbolic inequality where the stratification system is manifested. Existing literature indicates three different approaches to describe the structure of leisure. At the same time, the majority of studies are focused on one particular form of leisure such as cultural consumption, sports or gastronomic preferences while neglecting the structure of leisure activities on the whole. Furthermore, the results of the analysis of the impact of social determinants vary depending on the social context. The aim of this study is to reveal the structure of public leisure practices in Russia as well as social characteristics that shape these leisure practices. The study is based on the data provided by the Public Opinion Foundation. Using latent class analysis and multinomial logistic regression, the author offers five repertoires of leisure activities. The study shows that income, education, age and place of living also shape the leisure patterns.

Domestic Tourist Market in the Population Estimates: A Sociological Analysis

This article is devoted to the assessment of satisfaction among different social groups with the tourism service rendered within the framework of cultural and educational trips over Russia. This work is based on the results of the investigations of the Russian Public Opinion Research Center (WCIOM), the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM). As the main research method we have chosen questionnaire which has allowed us to reveal preferences of the tourists from different social categories. This questionnaire is based on the main components forming tourists’ satisfaction with the trips over Russia. In the course of the mentioned-above investigation we have found dependence between the number of the trips in different cities and towns of Russia, and the level of satisfaction with the quality of the tourist service of the domestic tourism industry.
 The authors have conducted analyses of the main problems with which tourists usually encounter while travelling over the country. These problems include the following aspects: lack of well-developed tourism infrastructure in the Russian cities and towns, dissatisfaction with variety of animation programs, most part of package tours does not render efficient full service. At the same time, we can conclude that increasing number of the Russians acknowledge the historic and cultural importance of the cities heritage. They assess the level of arrangement of the holidays, entertainments as a quite high. Almost a half of the respondents gave positive assessment to the level of satisfaction with such tourism service as the level and quality of traditional folk craft, an opportunity to immerge into the history and culture of a region, contribute to the revival of cultural values.

СОЦИАЛЬНАЯ АКТИВНОСТЬ РОССИЙСКОЙ МОЛОДЕЖИ: МАСШТАБЫ И ФАКТОРЫ СДЕРЖИВАНИЯ

In recent years, both experts and public opinion tend to assess the involvement of the Rus-sian youth in social activities as rather low: the post-Soviet generations are called apolitical and indifferent to anything except personal well-being and interests. At the same time, the largest research centers (Public Opinion Foundation, Russian Public Opinion Research Center, Levada Center, and Institute of Sociology) conduct sociological studies of various aspects of social and civil activities, political participation and protest potential of younger generations and Russian society as a whole. The article presents some recent data that prove the low level of political and social activity of the Russian population. The author believes that this level is higher among the younger generations, especially the students. To prove that, first, the author considers the category ‘social activity’: its motives (primarily socially significant needs), subjective ‘measurement’ (personal needs and interests), goals (pragmatic and altruistic, collective and personal, etc.), forms (personal, collective, etc.) and external and internal factors. Secondly, to assess the motives and restraining factors of the youth social activity, the article presents some results of the surveys conducted in the RUDN University and of the Russian public opinion polls. The author identifies reasons for the youth’s lack of interest in public activities (lack of material benefits, desire/time/motivation, information, and nega-tive image of public associations), motives of social activity (social, selective, mobilization, etc.) and for be-coming a member of public associations (self-realization, the desire to change the world, combination of the two, etc.), and factors that determine the youth’s perception of social activity in general (estimates of so-cial situation, value orientations and social well-being).

ROLE OF SOCIOLOGY IN THE STUDY AND MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH AMONG RUSSIAN POPULATION

The article explains sociological methods being used for health evaluation among Russian population. Together with medical, demographic and other official data make it possible fast and with minimum cost to obtain objective information about nations’ health and the factors affecting it. Major advantage of sociological methods being used to measure health, especially in comparison with traditional registration of sickness rate according to public appeals, is that larger data on sickness can be gathered. It is particulary relevant to those sicknesses for which people do not ask for medical assistance. It is an actual issue especially today when more people refuse medical assistance. Author pays attention to health research using health-centric model, which concentrates not on fighting disease but health strengthening and disease prevention. An idea is underlined that it is impossible to manage the problem of generally weak national health only with the help of medical community, joint actions of psychologists, sociologists, representatives of culture and education are needed to overcome dependent approach among people towards their health, as well as existing disparities between demand for being healthy and real efforts made to preserve and strengthen physical and psychological health. The paper touches the problem of the value of health, and the role of various institutions, especially the family, in the process of health and healthy lifestyle settings developments. Behavioral factors are also being studied which relate to maintenance and strengthening of health among Russia’s population, identify gender related specifics of health and healthy lifestyle. The paper paid much attention to the problems of interaction between family and health institutions, trust in doctors and the healthcare system as a whole, the reasons of public health care failures. The influence of education, wealth and living conditions, family composition on health self-concept and self-preservation behavior is analyzed. The empirical base of the study is comprised of the research provided by the Department of sociology of the family and demography at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of sociology, Institute of sociology and the Research center of FAP and CNS, as well as data from the Public opinion foundation, the National center for public opinion research and the World health organization which relate to the health of the Russian population. Current article will be useful for specialists and experts in sociology, medicine and health, sociology of family and demography and also for wider audience who are interested in the issues of health and healthy lifestyle. Results can be used by health system executives, social workers, representatives of regional and municipal administrations, professors and university students.

Влияние факторов социального окружения на представления пациентов об эффективности психотерапевтической помощи

One of the most important factors, influencing the development on concept of confidence in
 psychotherapy is social environment.
 The analysis of expectations of Russian patients towards psychotherapy (this construct with a certain limitations
 can be assimilated to concept of confidence in psychotherapy) requires taking into account social environment
 factor, including social-demographic situation in the Russian Federation. According to the results of a
 survey of the Public Opinion Foundation (POF) including 1500 individuals aged 18+ years (dated November 2014), the use of psychotherapeutic and psychological services decreased since 2006 by 20% (!) and today constitutes
 less than 20%. According to participant’s opinion, the accessibility of psychotherapeutic service slightly
 increased (by 5%). During the same time period the number of respondents who are certain that reference to psychologists
 or psychotherapists is worthless increased by 8%. At the same time, according to national statistical
 investigations, more than 30% of population has psychiatric conditions requiring medical help or consultation of
 a psychiatrist, or, more often, a psychotherapist or clinical psychologist. Consequently, there is a decrease of
 confidence in psychotherapy among potential service consumers in our country, which is to no small degree associated
 with concern of disapproval of psychotherapeutic help by reference group (friends, colleagues, family
 members etc.). In other words, psychotherapeutic or psychological help will be associated with shame and insecurity.
 The reason for such an attitude of population to psychotherapeutic treatment are likely distorted perception,
 associated with lack of information, apprehensive attitude towards psychiatric treatment (which is closely
 related in the public consciousness to psychotherapy). The attitude of internists and health officials towards psychotherapy
 may play an important role in the discrediting psychotherapy. One gets the impression that nowadays
 at the present stage of development of psychotherapy in our country, educational function of psychotherapist
 becomes of paramount significance. It should be aimed both at the development of knowledge on the efficacy of
 psychotherapeutic methods and at the necessity of engagement of psychotherapists and psychologists in diagnostics
 and treatment alongside with internal medicine doctors, and also at the promotion of credibility of psychotherapy
 among the potential users of psychotherapeutic services.

Специфика социально-политического самоопределения современной российской молодежи

The article looks at the issues of the developing and actualizing the political capability of the new generation of the Russian youth, with a special focus on the specific details of the youth’s political positions. We analyze the political and social resources of the younger generation as a special cohort of society, which at the same time does not appear as a unified group. Further participation of young people in the social and political life of their country will be determined by the youth’s internal social, economic and political differentiation. In the article, we outline the structure of value ideas among the youth, which is a crucial factor for its level of involvement in the political and social life of Russian society. We have analyzed the outcomes of sociological studies of how youth is integrated in social and political practices, including “Youth: Age Limits, Values, Specific Features” by the Public Opinion Foundation (FOM) (2014), and “The Youth of the Oryol Oblast in 2015” (2015). We have chosen the level of interest in political events as an indicator of socio-political self-determination of the Russian youth. On the one hand, young people do possess the required capability of influencing the political sphere, but on the other, their social activity requires support from both the state and public institutes. As the research has shown, lability of consciousness and instability of political orientations and views are typical for young citizens. These characteristics can promote disorganization and development of protest behavior among the youth. Also outlined are the prospects of actualizing the political capabilities of Russia’s young citizens. Political education is paramount for the rise of formation of political subjectness of the youth in contemporary Russia. We have focused on the objective and subjective factors influencing both political socialization of the youth and its participation in the political process of the country.

ПОТЕНЦИАЛЬНАЯ МОБИЛЬНОСТЬ ВЫПУСКНИКОВ ШКОЛ МАЛЫХ И СРЕДНИХ ГОРОДОВ СВЕРДЛОВСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

The increased flow of the “non-return” migration may cause serious problems in small and average cities. To assess the scale of the problems a study was carried out in three cities of the Sverdlovsk oblast (region) – Revda, Krasnotur`insk and Nizhniy Tagil involving 740 school graduates (secondary school students of 8 – 11 classes). The author used the data of the Russian Public Opinion Center, the Public Opinion Foundation, the Russian Statistics Service and a sociological survey conducted by the State Employment Agency of the Labor Department of the Sverdlovsk region. The author provides a comparative analysis of the results of the survey among school graduates, adult Russians and the needs of the labor market. The reasons behind the desire/refusal to return to the home city upon the completion of the studies are considered in the article. According to the findings of the study, school graduates of small and average cities are mainly non-return migrants; they are driven by their desire to live in a bigger city and the lack of the opportunities in their home city. The most attractive mobility track they choose is from school to the university even if it does not meet the current local labor market needs