Prosocial attitudes and psychological readiness for family life among students

Introduction. The relevance of this study is underscored by the national priority of strengthening the family as a core societal value and the necessity of examining young people’s psychological readiness for family life. The student age group is regarded as a sensitive period for beginning a family, highlighting the importance of analysing the relationship between prosocial behaviour and the characteristics of this readiness. Aim. The present research aimed to investigate the features of students’ prosocial attitudes in relation to their psychological readiness for family life. Methodology and research methods. The research is grounded in subject-personality and prosocial approaches. Analytical, comparative, psychodiagnostic, and statistical methods were employed. The techniques applied included the Prosocial Behaviour Study method (by D. V. Sochivko and S. K. Bondyreva), the “Role Expectations and Aspirations in Marriage” questionnaire (by A. N. Volkova and T. M. Trapeznikova), and the test-card assessment of readiness for family life (by I. F. Yund). The sample comprised 217 students (aged 18–23; 44% male, 56% female) from two Russian higher education institutions. Results. A pronounced prosocial orientation was identified among young people, characterised predominantly by empathy and altruism, alongside elevated levels of social anxiety and infantilism. A relatively high level of psychological readiness for marriage was observed in 73% of respondents, marked by a pronounced emotional-psychotherapeutic function, external attractiveness, and personal identification with a partner. A positive correlation was found between readiness and empathy, while a negative correlation was observed with social anxiety and infantilism. Scientific novelty. The scientific novelty of this study lies in the empirical substantiation of the connection between prosocial behaviour and students’ psychological readiness to start a family. It demonstrates that readiness for mutual care, shared values, and emotional support – core elements of prosociality – forms the foundation for building a prosperous family. Practical significance. The practical significance of this study resides in its potential to inform recommendations for higher education institutions aimed at fostering students’ prosocial experiences and enhancing their psychological readiness to establish a functional family. Future research prospects include identifying effective methods to strengthen family values within the student community. 

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