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Bulletin of Practical Psychology of Education
2026. Vol. 23, no. 1, 111–125
doi:10.17759/bppe.2026230107
ISSN: 2658-3100 (online)

The issues of quadrobics and animalistic subcultures in psychology

 
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Abstract

Abstract Context and relevance. Quadrobing is a new and rapidly spreading phenomenon among teenagers and youth, located at the junction of sports hobbies and subcultural activity. The relevance of its study is due to its spread among adolescents and its possible influence on the formation of their identity, and the consequent need to develop strategies for the psychological support of its participants. Objective. To conduct a psychological analysis of the quadrobics phenomenon and to determine its potential impact on personal development. Methods and materials. This article employs a method of theoretical analysis of domestic and foreign scientific literature on the research topic. Results. It was found that the origins of quadrobics lie both in sports and rehabilitation practices (Quadrupedal Movement Training) and in the cultural phenomenon of zoomorphic characters and fan creativity. The research highlights the importance of differentiating quadrobics as a hobby from therianthropy as a form of identity construction. The main risks (escapism, social maladjustment, identity formation issues, potential presence of mental disorders, cybersecurity problems) as well as benefits (creativity, finding a social circle, physical activity, increased academic motivation) were identified. Conclusions. The study demonstrates the necessity of a differentiated approach to assessing adolescent participation in animalistic subcultures. In this regard, several important principles have been identified that can be taken into account in psychological support related to the differentiation between norm and psychopathological symptoms, emotional disorders, diagnosis of the emotional state, assessment of the adaptability of the child's activity and prevention of risks.

General Information

Keywords: subculture, adolescence, quadrobics, animal-themed subcultures, hobbies, identity

Journal rubric: Scientific and Methodological Support for the Professional Activities of Teacher-Psychologists

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/bppe.2026230107

Received 11.09.2025

Revised 30.01.2026

Accepted

Published

For citation: Shapovalenko, I.V., Kochetova, Y.A., Klimakova, M.V. (2026). The issues of quadrobics and animalistic subcultures in psychology. Bulletin of Practical Psychology of Education, 23(1), 111–125. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/bppe.2026230107

© Shapovalenko I.V., Kochetova Y.A., Klimakova M.V., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Irina V. Shapovalenko, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Professor of Department of Age Psychology Named After Professor L.F. Obukhova, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3845-3473, e-mail: irin_vlad@mail.ru

Yuliya A. Kochetova, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Professor, Chair of Scientific Basis of Extreme Psychology, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9853-569X, e-mail: kochetovayua@mgppu.ru

Mariya V. Klimakova, Lecturer, Chair of Developmental Psychology Named after L.F. Obukhova, Faculty of Psychology of Education, Moscow State University of psychology and education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2048-3105, e-mail: klimakovamv@mgppu.ru

Contribution of the authors

Irirna V. Shapovalenko — ideas; annotation; control over the research; writing the manuscript.

Yulia A. Kochetova — ideas; data collection and analysis; annotation; control over the research; writing the manuscript.

Maria V. Klimakova — literature review on the research topic; writing and design of the manuscript.
All authors participated in the discussion of the results and approved the final text of the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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