Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Psychology
2025. Vol. 15, no. 4, 594–609
ISSN: 2658-3607 / 2658-6010 (online)
Representation of difficult life situations in schematic images
Abstract
Most common diagnostic methods of difficult life situations perception are based on verbal self-reports, which focus on conscious representations. However, to fully understand the situation perception, it is also necessary to study poorly tacit knowledge and experience. The aim of the study is to consider representations of difficult life situations and the criteria of difficulty based on the material of schematic images. The article discusses the possibilities of a technique “Scheme of a Difficult Life Situation”. This technique is based on the properties of schemes as cultural tools for displaying essential features of objects as structures composed of elements and their connections. We present the results of a content analysis of 401 schematic images collected from adult participants. During the study, the categories were inductively identified, and the analysis of these categories allowed us to identify criteria of the difficulty life situations. 1. Situational factors: obstacles, lack of time, prohibitions. 2. Subjective factors: lack of resources, personal limitations, negative emotions. 3. Interaction between the subject and the situation: criteria for assessing difficulties, role of the subject in the situation, frustration of goals, need for effort. The components included in the structure of a difficult life situation include the situational context, difficulty factors, purpose, meaning, assessment, coping strategies, resources, and ideas about the dynamics of the situation. The use of this method in coping research allows us to study the situation perception at both the verbal and figurative-symbolic levels.
General Information
Keywords: difficult life situation, criteria of difficulty, situation perception, coping, scheme, drawing
Journal rubric: Empirical and Experimental Research
Article type: scientific article
Funding. The reported study was funded by Russian Science Foundation, project no. 23-28-01255.
Received 14.04.2025
Accepted
Published
For citation: Bityutskaya, Ye.V., Mironov, A.S. (2025). Representation of difficult life situations in schematic images. Vestnik of Saint Petersburg University. Psychology, 15(4), 594–609. (In Russ.). URL: https://psyjournals.ru/en/journals/vspu_psychology/archive/2025_n4/Bityutskaya_Mironov (viewed: 03.03.2026)
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