Aim. Analysis of the most significant theoretical and experimental studies of symbolism and symbolization in domestic and foreign child psychology.

Methodology. The analysis was carried out within the framework of the methodology of the activity approach in psychology, as well as the cultural and historical concept. The material for analysis and generalization was psychological research devoted to the problem of symbolization in different periods of childhood, the disclosure of the possibilities and functions of the symbol in various spheres of children's personality.

Results. The age dynamics of the development of the ability to symbolize is revealed, it is shown that the period of the beginning of the formation of the ability to symbolize is already an early age. Over the following periods, qualitative changes in the ability of children to navigate the symbol are traced. It is shown that the potentials of the symbol as a means of developing the cognitive, social and emotional spheres of children's personality far exceed the potentials of the sign.

Research implications. The material on the problem of symbolization in child psychology is summarized. The need to include work with the symbol in complex psychological and pedagogical work with children is emphasized.

Aim. Theoretical substantiation and empirical confirmation of the relationship between existential fulfillment of the meaning of life and the profile of self-actualization of the individual and personal identity.

Methodology. The study involved 70 people. The subjects' ages ranged from 27 to 63. There were 52 women (74.3%) and 18 men (25.7%) among the participants. The following methods were used: psychodiagnostic methods (the existential fulfillment diagnostic method – “The Existence Scale (ES)” A. Längle and K. Orgler adapted by I. N. Mainina, A. Yu. Vasanov, An Inventory for the Measurement of Self-Actualization by E. Shostrom adapted by N. F. Kalina and the method for studying personal identity “MILI”. L. B. Schneider, methods of statistical data processing (Mann-Whitney U-test and Ch. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient).

Results. The study yielded data on the expression of the self-actualization profile; the overall indicator of the desire for self-actualization increases depending on the level of existential fulfillment. Numerous positive correlations between the characteristics of existential fulfillment and the profile of self-actualization of the individual were also revealed. Additionally, a positive relationship between the indicators of personal identity and the characteristics of existential fulfillment was revealed. To clarify the data, an analysis of the types of personal identity in different groups by the level of existential fulfillment was conducted.

Research implications. The obtained results of the study can be useful in the work of practical psychologists in the course of drawing up correctional programs related to solving issues of loss of meaning in life, depression and crisis, dissatisfaction with life or insufficient self-realization, identifying the causes of neuroses and preventing suicides.

Aim. A study of the interethnic relationship of the indigenous peoples of Yakutia to Kyrgyz migrants.

Methodology. The choice of the research object is due to a sharp increase in the number of migrants from Kyrgyzstan in Yakutia. To test the hypothesis of the impact of the number of migrants on the interethnic relations of indigenous peoples towards migrants, a comparative analysis of heterostereotypes and social distance was carried out in three conditional zones of Yakutia. Methods of “Attribution of qualities” and “Scale of social distance”.

Results. The results of the study showed that in our sample, an increase in the number of migrants does not affect the interethnic attitude of indigenous peoples towards migrants. The emotional modality of heterostereotypes does not change when their number changes. A small probability of the contribution of the number of migrants is present in the manifestation of social distance. Research implications. The practical significance lies in determining the optimality of the current number of Kyrgyz migrants as a factor affecting social distance and the nature of heterostereotypes in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia).

Aim. Identification of factors influencing the success of social and psychological adaptation of women married to foreigners.

Procedure and methods. The study was conducted based on social networks using Yandex. Forms. The sample consisted of 154 Russian speaking women who migrated to a new country due to marriage to foreigners, of which 74 respondents migrated to Russia and 80 respondents migrated from Russia. To reach the objective the following methods were used: “Social and psychological adaptation test – questionnaire”, “Attachment to close people questionnaire”, “Interpersonal relations questionnaire”, “Zimbardo time perspective  inventory”,  “Badner’s scale of tolerance to uncertainty”, “Assessment of aspirations level”, “Self – concept clarity scale”, “Psychological well-being scale” as well as descriptive statistics, correlation analysis using Spearman’s correlation coefficient and factor analysis.

Results of the research demonstrated differences in the adaptability profiles and adaptability in the sample that indicates a complex structure of social and psychological adaptation of migrants. Adaptability is influenced by such factors as self–actualization, pro-activeness, motivation, personality integrity, assessment of achievements level (“I can”). The following factors contribute to maladaptivity: lack of meaning of life, lack of emotional stability and positive self-esteem, significance of result in motivation structure, motivation for failure avoidance, behaviour in close relationships, avoidance of challenges due to negative experiences in the past. The theoretical and/or practical significance of the study lies in the clarification of ideas regarding factors influencing the success of social and psychological adaptation of women married to foreigners. The data obtained can be used by practical psychologists and employees of social services to provide adequate assistance and support.

Aim. Studying the characteristics of the manifestation of self-attitude and the level of hardiness in people of mature age with a disability established in adulthood, living independently and in inpatient social service institutions.

Methodology. The sampleconsistsof two groupsof subjects – 30 people withand without disabilities. The methods used: “Hardiness Test” by S. Maddi, adapted by D. A. Leontiev, E. I. Rasskazova; multidimensional questionnaire for self-attitude research (MIS) by S. R. Pantileev; questionnaire “Losses and acquisitions of personal resources” (LOPR) by N. Vodopyanova, M. Stein; questionnaire “Potential for self-change” of personality by V. R. Manukyan, I. R. Murtazina, N. V. Grishina; the author's questionnaire for collecting biographical data. Methods of mathematical statistics were used.

Results. The results of the study indicate that the indicators of the level of hardiness, components of self-attitude, resource index and potential for self-change in subjects with disabilities living independently and in inpatient social service institutions are generally comparable.

A statistically significant relationship was found between the “Sum of Losses” scale and the presence of disability in the subjects, that is, these people tend to have more negative experiences regarding lost resources, which can occur both as a result of a disabling disease and due to a narrowing of social contacts, restrictions in work and active life.

Research implications. The research results might be used in the design of psychocorrectional programs in rehabilitation centers and social policy institutions.

Aim. Identification of the relationship between pedagogical conservatism and psychological defense mechanisms.

Methodology. The study involved the teaching staff of Russian universities (Samara, Ulyanovsk, Bashkortostan, Yekaterinburg) aged 25 to 65 years (mean age M=42.3; SD=8.7). The diagnostic tools used were the questionnaire “Assessment of pedagogical conservatism” (I. B. Avakyan), the method “Diagnostics of typologies of psychological defense” (R. Plutchik adapted by I. Wasserman, O. F. Eryshev, E. B. Klubova et al.). The statistical methods used were the onesample Kolmogorov-Smirnov λ-test, the standardized effect size of Cohen's d, the nonparametric rank correlation test rs Spearman, the linear regression method.

Results. The consistency of the sample data with the normal distribution law was established. An exceptionally large value of the statistical effect of non-constructive protective psychological mechanisms (denial, repression, regression, projection, substitution, reactive formation) and a small, average value of the compensation effect, intellectualization in the dynamics of the state of pedagogical conservatism of a university teacher were revealed. Positive relationships were found between the indicators of pedagogical conservatism of a university teacher and the mechanisms of psychological defense. A linear relationship was found between the level of pedagogical conservatism of a university teacher and the mechanisms of psychological defense. The results of the empirical study showed the dominance of the expression of the average and high level of pedagogical conservatism of a university teacher based on the prevalence of nonconstructive mechanisms of psychological defense, which allows us to consider pedagogical conservatism as a negative phenomenon leading to a state of professional stagnation.

Research implications. The results obtained during the study can be used to develop a program for the prevention and overcoming of pedagogical conservatism through the formation of psychological readiness for innovative changes in the system of higher professional education.

Aim. The purpose of this work is to study the coping behavior of school graduates in a situation of self-determination.

Methodology. The study was conducted on the basis of Moscow schools with the participation of 192 graduating students aged 16–17 years. The methods used were «Ways to overcome critical situations» (E. Heim), «Coping behavior in stressful situations» (N. Endler, J. Parker, etc.), the Dembo-Rubinstein method (A. M. Parishioners), «Thinking about the meaning of life» (H. Niemi), the test «SOHO» by D. A. Leontiev. The statistical analysis software package (SPSS 21.0) and various statistical processing methods were used.

Results. It is established that the coping behavior of school graduates acts as a way to resolve certain problems of self-determination. The positive perspective of coping is determined by its diversity and breadth of repertoire, activity, and focus on problem-sensitive areas of graduates' relationships to themselves and the world.

Research implications. Scientific ideas about the peculiarities of coping behavior of school graduates in a situation of self-determination are expanding. The results of the study can be used in programs of psychological and pedagogical support in this period.

Aim. To find the relationship between engagement in mobile technology use and adolescents' perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

Methodology. The study involved 385 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years (50.9% were girls). The methods used were the questionnaire of identifying the forms of mobile device use, the phubbing scale, the author's questionnaire of perception of AI capabilities, and methods of descriptive, comparative, correlation and factor analysis.

Results. The study found that adolescents' interactions with new digital technologies are mediated by gender, stage of schooling, and age of first gadget ownership. It was revealed that adolescent engagement in gadget use is associated with the perception of a wider range of opportunities to interact with AI technologies.

Research implications. The value of findings is conditioned by the possibility of taking the results into account when developing programs to support digital socialization of schoolchildren

Aim. The purpose of this work is to consider the concept of “giftedness”, its structure and identification criteria as well as to determine the specifics of working with gifted adolescents.

Methodology. To achieve this goal, the corpus of scientific texts was analyzed and a comparative analysis of studies related to the issues of giftedness in both domestic and foreign psychology was carried out. The research procedure and methods in this article include the following: analysis of specialized literature; study of the system of working with gifted adolescents, which includes familiarization with the psychological characteristics and methodological techniques of working with such children. Theoretical research methods were used in the work, including the study and analysis of methodological and psychological-pedagogical literature on this topic.

Results. Based on the study of scientific literature, it has been established that there is no unambiguous, clear and precise definition of the concept of “giftedness”. At the same time, giftedness is currently defined as the process of developing various inclinations, abilities and qualities of a personality. The results of the study also served to identify qualitative strategies and approaches in the psychological and pedagogical support of gifted adolescents.

Research implications. The generalized data presented in the article expand scientific ideas in the field of psychology of giftedness. The theoretical significance of the work lies in enriching the theory of psychological and pedagogical support with new concepts of support for gifted adolescents. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the described specifics of working with gifted adolescents can be used in identifying gifted children and their development.

Aim. Research of actual problems of labor activity of modern entrepreneurs.

Methodology. A review and theoretical analysis of entrepreneurial activity research in labor psychology has been performed. Using the survey method, a questionnaire developed to study the current problems of entrepreneurs, an empirical study of 50 subjects of this type of work was conducted, statistical data were presented and the results were analyzed.

Results. The conducted research has shown a discrepancy between the aspects of entrepreneurship studied and described in scientific sources and the real problems entrepreneurs face in their professional activities. It has been established that the most pressing problems are those related to professional selection and selection of qualified personnel.

Research implications significance lies in the formation of a subject field, experimental research programs on current problems of entrepreneurs and the creation of a basis for the development of effective business support and development programs.