The first thematic issue of the the "Journal of Modern Foreign Psychology" for 2026 is dedicated to the problem of youth development in contemporary conditions and examines it through the lens of resources and risks that shape personality formation in contexts of social uncertainty and the transformation of life trajectories.
In the "Social Psychology" section, articles analyze the impact of contemporary social environments and processes on youth development. The section opens with a review article dedicated to the phenomenon of fandoms as a new form of socialization in digital space. This theme is continued by a study examining social identity as a factor influencing youth attitudes toward cross-national integration and demonstrating its dual role as both a resource and a barrier to intergroup interaction. Particular attention is given to the issue of psychological separation of youth from parents, which contemporary research conceptualizes as a multidimensional process involving the balance between autonomy and the preservation of significant relationships.
Within the "Developmental Psychology and Age-Related Psychology" section, resources for positive development are examined, with specific focus on prosocial behavior in school-aged children as a key mechanism of socialization that fosters the development of social competence and reduces aggressive behaviors.
A significant portion of the issue addresses the topic of students' psychological well-being. In the "Educational Psychology" section, a review article presents systems for supporting psychological well-being in higher education institutions, emphasizing the necessity of transitioning to proactive and preventive support models. This is complemented by a systematic review of factors influencing student well-being, which identifies key personal, social, and institutional determinants, including social support, sense of belonging, and eudaimonic well-being.
In the "Medical Psychology" section, a review of international longitudinal studies focuses on self-harming behavior as a significant factor in suicide risk. The study highlights the prevalence of self-harm during adolescence and young adulthood and underscores the necessity of early identification and preventive programs.
This thematic issue demonstrates that youth development constitutes a complex and multidimensional process in which social, cultural, and individual psychological factors are closely interconnected. The presented studies illustrate how contemporary conditions simultaneously generate new opportunities for self-realization and amplify risks associated with transformations in social institutions and life trajectories.
Listen to episodes of the PsyJournals LIVE podcast, in which the authors discuss:
Alexandra Alekseevna Bochaver — on the development of prosocial behavior in educational settings.
Ivan Artemovich Grevtsev — on research into the phenomenon of fandoms in international scholarship.
Tatiana Maksimovna Krasnyanskaya — on psychological research on safety in extreme conditions.
Vladimir Georgievich Maralov — on the psychology of personal peacefulness and non-violence.
Albina Aleksandrovna Nesterova — on the specifics of psychological separation of young adults from their parents.