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Psychology and Law
2026. Vol. 16, no. 1, 147–161
doi:10.17759/psylaw.2026160110
ISSN: 2222-5196 (online)

Value and life-meaning orientations of military school cadets and combatants

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. Political conflicts and military clashes have made it necessary to study the values and meaning of life of military personnel who carry out their combat missions. Understanding the Life Meaning Orientations as a regulatory basis for personality is essential for effective interaction between military personnel during combat operations. The aim of the study was to identify the features of value and life-meaning orientations among military school cadets and combatants. The hypothesis was based on the assumption that there are differences in the value orientations hierarchy and in meaning of life indicators among cadets and SMO-participants (Special Military Operation). Methods and materials. The sample consisted of military academy cadets aged 18-22 (M = 20.13; SD = 1.56; Me = 20) and SMO participants aged 20-28 (M = 24.33; SD = 1.73; Me = 25). A total of 63 males. The methods "Determining the Development of Value Orientations" by B.S. Kruglov (an adapted and modified version of the method by M. Rokeach) and "The Test of Meaning in Life Orientations (TMO)" by D.A. Leontiev (an adapted version of the Purpose-in-Life Test (PIL) by J. Crambaugh and L. Makholik) were used. The results of the study revealed the differences in the hierarchy of terminal and instrumental values, meaning-in-life orientations of cadets of military academies and combat veterans at the level of statistical significance. Conclusions. Cadets have a balanced combination of personal and social values. The value structure of SMO-participants is characterized by utilitarianism, functionality, and focus on vital aspects (survival, security, and family). The meaningfulness of life among participants in the special military operation is higher than among cadets, and they build their lives according to their own understanding of its meaning.

General Information

Keywords: value orientations, life-purpose orientations, meaning of life, participants in the special military operation (SMO), participants in the fighting, military personnel, combatants, cadets of military academies

Journal rubric: Psychology of Professional Activity

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2026160110

Received 18.01.2026

Revised 20.02.2026

Accepted

Published

For citation: Buslaeva, E.L., Vlasova, N.V. (2026). Value and life-meaning orientations of military school cadets and combatants. Psychology and Law, 16(1), 147–161. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/psylaw.2026160110

© Buslaeva E.L., Vlasova N.V., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Elena L. Buslaeva, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor Department of Legal and Forensic Psychology and Law, Faculty of Legal and Forensic Psychology, Moscow State University of psychology and education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1913-9198, e-mail: moselena2201@yandex.ru

Nataliya V. Vlasova, Candidate of Science (Psychology), Associate Professor, Department of Legal and Forensic Psychology, and Law, Faculty of Legal and Forensic Psychology, Moscow State University of psychology and education, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3452-1133, e-mail: l1025173@yandex.ru

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