HIERARCHY OF CONTEMPORARY PERSONAL MEANINGS IN UKRAINE:A PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

The aim of this study is to theoretically substantiate and psychologically analyze the hierarchy of contemporary meanings of the self in Ukraine, and to identify the characteristics of the transformation of the value-meaning sphere amid social change, military challenges, and a reevaluation of life’s guiding principles. The research methodology is based on axiopsychological, existential, and subject-value approaches to the study of the personal sphere of meaning. To achieve this goal, the author developed a questionnaire titled “Hierarchy of Contemporary Meanings of Personality,” whose structure includes an assessment of the subjective significance of life meanings, a ranking of value-semantic orientations, and open-ended reflective questions. A range of theoretical, empirical, and statistical methods was employed: analysis, synthesis, generalization, surveying, ranking, content analysis, descriptive statistics, and percentage analysis. The scientific novelty of the work lies in conducting a comprehensive psychological analysis of the hierarchy of contemporary life meanings among Ukrainian youth in the context of current socio-historical transformations. For the first time, a trend has been empirically established toward a reorientation of life-meaning priorities from material and status-based benchmarks to existential and psychological meanings associated with psychological well-being, inner stability, interpersonal support, and self-actualization. The leading meaning-oriented dominants that determine the structure of life orientations among contemporary students in the context of social instability and military challenges have been identified. Conclusions. It has been established that the leading life-meaningful orientations of contemporary student youth are psychological well-being, family, emotional support from loved ones, inner stability, self-development, and professional self-actualization. At the same time, material status, social prestige, and public success occupy peripheral positions in the structure of life priorities. Content analysis of the respondents’ answers confirmed the dominance of meanings related to psychological balance, the search for inner meaning in life, personal resilience, and faith in Ukraine’s future. The results obtained demonstrate the dynamism of the hierarchy of contemporary personal meanings and its sensitivity to sociocultural transformations.