The influence of values formed in families with different types of intergenerational relationships on the flexibility of human behavior

Abstract

The article presents part of the results of a study focusing on the influence of intergenerational relationships on personal maturity — in particular, the influence of value orientations on the flexibility of human behavior. The study sample consisted of 156 people aged from 25 to 72 years (92 women and 64 men). The respondents were divided into two groups: ‘parents’ and their ‘adult children’. The following methods were used: Self-Actualization Test; Meaningful Life Orientations Test; Resilience Test (adapted by D.A. Leontyev); Family Environment Scale (adapted by S.Yu. Kupriyanova); Subjective Assessment of Interpersonal Relationships Test (by S.V. Dukhnovsky); and a semi-structured interview. Statistical processing of the results was carried out using the statistical software package IBM SPSS Statistics 23. The analysis of the data allows us to draw the following conclusions: 1) the sample contains the following types of intergenerational relationships — harmonious, disharmonious and controlling relationships; 2) people with a harmonious type of intergenerational relationships demonstrate commitment to the values and ideals of a self-actualizing personality and implement such values in their life; 3) the ‘flexibility of behavior’ indicator correlates with the ‘view on human nature’ indicator, which indicates a positive perception of human nature (taking into account its duality) and the willingness to build and adapt one’s behavior in accordance with this perception. We assume that the younger generation’s understanding of the opposite principles which are instilled in a human by nature itself leads to the use of this knowledge in the process of adaptation. In addition, due to the socio-cultural situation and competitiveness that has developed in modern society, young people are forced to quickly and adequately respond to the changing situation. In contrast, the older generation, whose personality developed in different socio-cultural conditions, adheres to certain norms and standards of behavior that have developed over the years.