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Social Psychology and Society
2026. Vol. 17, no. 1, 23–40
doi:10.17759/sps.2026170102
ISSN: 2221-1527 / 2311-7052 (online)

Image of future as a predictor of psychological adaptation among residents of Russia’s frontline regions

 
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Abstract

Context and relevance. The current socio-economic and political situation in Russia, including sanctions, discrimination and a negative information field, creates significant challenges for the population. This is especially acute in frontline areas that are being shelled, which negatively affects the physical and psychological health of residents. Not all Russians have adapted to the modern environment and are able to plan for the future. 
Objective. To study the psychological adaptation and image of the future of residents in frontline regions of the Russian Federation under conditions of the special military operation.
Hypothesis. A positive image of the future (openness to the future, ideas about the impact of personal efforts on the future, and a positive image of Russia), positively correlates with psychological adaptation and negatively predicts levels of anxiety and depression.
Methods and materials. Design: regression analysis of interrelationships between components of the image of the future and psychological adaptation. Participants: 212 respondents from Bryansk and Belgorod regions (80,7% women, average age 25 years). Instruments: questionnaire of anxiety states in adaptation by Yu.L. Khanin, patient health questionnaire “Patient Health Questionnaire-9” in adaptation by A.A. Zolotareva, “Spectrum of psychological health” questionnaire, scale of life satisfaction in adaptation by E.N. Osin and D.A. Leontiev, scale of openness to the future in adaptation by A.S. Khegay and others, as well as questions for assessing time perspective.
Results. A significant predictor of psychological adaptation in a situation of proximity to military operations is a positive image of the future, including openness to the future, a positive image of Russia in the present and future, as well as ideas about the impact of personal efforts on their lives.
Conclusions. A positive image of the future is a significant predictor of psychological adaptation in conditions of armed conflict. The construct of openness to the future contributes a decrease in anxiety and depression, as well as an increase in life satisfaction and psychological well-being.

General Information

Keywords: psychological adaptation, image of the future, frontline regions of Russia, depression, anxiety, life satisfaction, psychological well-being

Journal rubric: Empirical Research

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2026170102

Funding. The study was carried out under the Fundamental Research Programme of the National Research University Higher School of Economics.

Acknowledgements. The author thanks A.N. Tatarko, the scientific supervisor, for his help in the study.

Received 31.10.2024

Revised 07.02.2026

Accepted

Published

For citation: Khrapkova, D.N. (2026). Image of future as a predictor of psychological adaptation among residents of Russia’s frontline regions. Social Psychology and Society, 17(1), 23–40. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17759/sps.2026170102

© Khrapkova D.N., 2026

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

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Information About the Authors

Diana N. Khrapkova, MA in Psychology, Intern at the Centre for Sociocultural Research, HSE University, Moscow, Russian Federation, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7210-0777, e-mail: dnkhrapkova@edu.hse.ru

Conflict of interest

The author declare no conflict of interest.

Ethics statement

The empirical research plan was reviewed and approved for implementation at the conference of the Commission for Ethical Review of Research Projects of the Department of Psychology at HSE University on 04/30/2024.

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