Valeria Sergeevna Mukhina

Context and relevance. The article is devoted to the memory of a prominent Russian psychologist, Valeriya Sergeyevna Mukhina, who made significant contributions to the development of domestic psychology, particularly in developmental psychology and support for orphaned children and those without parental care. It focuses on key areas of her scientific work, including her discoveries and practical recommendations widely used by professionals today. Objective. The aim of this article is to present the multifaceted personality of V.S. Mukhina as both an individual and a scientist, highlighting her role in advancing child psychology, organizing work with orphans, and providing psychological assistance to various population groups, including adults affected by crisis situations. Methods and materials. Based on the personal experience of the author, who worked closely with V.S. Mukhina over many years, the article critically examines the scholar's legacy and considers potential directions for further developing her concepts. Results. This study describes a wide range of V.S. Mukhina’s scientific achievements, such as her theory of structural elements of self-consciousness, the introduction into practice of psychological tools like the children's psychology office setup, emergency aid technologies ("PEPO briefcase") for use during stressful events, which have been tested in post-disaster relief efforts following earthquakes and other crises. Special attention is given to methods developed for working with adoptive families and minimizing dependency complexes among graduates from orphanages. Conclusions. The author concludes that V.S. Mukhina's heritage remains relevant and necessary for contemporary society. Her approaches contribute to improving practices when working with orphans, enhancing educators’ and psychologists’ levels of psychological literacy, fostering methods for shaping children's personalities across different stages of maturation and life circumstances