Change in the quality of life of the Russian population as a factor of the value structure transformation
Authors: Averin Yu. P. 
Published: February 2021

Based on the empirical data from the sociological study conducted in 2012 and 2019, the article analyzes the nature of transformations in the value structure by the adult population of Russia and how they were impacted by the changes in the quality of life over 7 years.

Factor analysis is used in the article to reveal the changes in the typological values structure of the adult Russian population in 2012 and 2019. It is shown that in 2012 it was predominantly “materialistic” (according to R. Inglehart). The value of Active patriotism was the most significant. The value of hedonistic prosperity was of high importance, perceived as a desire for material prosperity for the sake of comfortable life. The family was of great importance. The significance of “postmaterialistic” values, i.e. creativity and freedom, was low. Bellicose patriotism was presented in the structure of values, but with low significance.

The change in the value structure of the Russian population that occurred in 2019 is revealed. Although it remained predominantly “materialistic”, it underwent significant changes in comparison with 2012. The value of active patriotism remained the most significant for people, and the value of Bellicose patriotism rose to the second place from the fifth one, which was due to the changes that had taken place in the economic and political situation in relation to Russia in the world over seven years, and sanctions pressure on it. High importance of the Family and Hedonistic prosperity was preserved. “Post-materialistic” values of freedom and creativity remained insignificant. Transformation of the value structure of the Russian population from “materialistic” to “post-materialistic” did not occur. The transformation nature of the value structure by Russian population under   the influence of changes in the state of the perceived quality of life is revealed. In 2012, physical and social activity of the Russian population had the highest level in comparison with other components. The role of physical and emotional problems in limiting the life of people and their subjective pain were at the mid-level. A relatively low level was characteristic for the mental and general health of people and their vitality. In 2019, the state of many parameters characterizing the quality of life of the population changed. Physical and social activity of people increased, and the role of physical and emotional problems in limiting their daily life and subjectivepain sensations decreased. However, it was conjoined by the same relatively low level of indicators for mental and general health of people, their vitality.

In2012,the state of people’s quality of life influenced the formation of only a few values; Active patriotism, the state of which was determined by all components of people’s quality of life and was a powerful factor in the formation of this value; the significance of Bellicose patriotism was influenced only by the state of people’s physical activity; the significance of hedonistic prosperity and creativity, fundamental values — family and self-preservation — also did not depend on the state of people’s quality of life.

In2019,the nature of the quality of life impact on the formation of the value structure of the Russian population changed; its impact on the importance of active patriotism, hedonistic prosperity and self-preservation increased. The quality of life ceased to influence the formation of the significance of bellicose patriotism, its level did not depend on the state of people’s quality of life.

Thus,in 2019 the change in the state of the people’s perceived quality of life led to the transformation in the structure of their values. At the same time, a decrease or increase in their importance was influenced by the change of the socio-economic state of people and the international position of Russia, which in turn affected the state of their quality of life. Taken together, these parameters make up the social mechanism for the formation of the value structure of the population of Russia.