TOMSK, November 11. /TASS/. The Tomsk State University's psychologists continue to study the quality of life in people living in the Far North and the Russian Federation's Arctic Zone to see what values and images of future the local communities have. Obtained results will be used in development strategies for those territories, the university's press service told TASS.
"By analyzing the collected data we will understand the residents' subjective quality, on what factors it depends and whether this could be influenced. Some data are not obvious. For example, according to many, residents of the Far North and the Arctic Zone exist in difficult climatic conditions and therefore they cannot be satisfied with quality of their lives. But the residents, especially the indigenous ones, who were born and raised there, feel they are part of nature and they cannot imagine living in different conditions," the press service quoted the university's Associate Professor at the Genetic and Clinical Psychology Department Anastasia Larionova as saying.
One of the aspects that scientists analyze is the community's identity. A sense of community, belonging and caring for people are linked to a person's quality of life. Positive relationships with others are one of the strongest predictors of well-being, happiness and life satisfaction for people of all ages.
"Our research traces the significant role of satisfaction with family relationships in the well-being, as well as the need for social cohesion and unity. The obtained data may become the basis for socio-economic development projects in the North to improve the residents' subjective quality of life and make those regions attractive for living, including for young people," the press service said.
The researchers have visited settlements in the Tomsk Regioin's Parabelsky District, and Altai's Cherga and Kamlak villages, where the university has a branch - the Altai Experimental Farm. The researchers plan several more expeditions to other northern territories.
What can influence happiness?
"At first glance, the answer to the question "What does a person need for happiness?" is evident, and, in a few words, it sounds like - to be healthy and wealthy. However, things are not that clear. It is important to separate the quality of life and the standard of living. The level is about material goods, and the concept of quality of life for each of us has various aspects, and sometimes they may differ greatly," the press service quoted the expert.
For example, the Institute of Happy Life specialists wanted to find out what may improve better the human well-being: giving money or organizing practices of subjective well-being (therapy). They found, therapy has shown its high effectiveness in terms of improving people's well-being.
"Of course, there's a number of questions about the study of quality of life subjective variables that the scientific community has yet to answer, but of importance now is the very fact of such research areas in Russia, where projects of the kind are very few. Based on our research experience, my colleagues and I are convinced that the subjective quality of life may reveal to us aspects that objective indicators are unable to show," the press service said.
The research continues under the university's strategic project - Global Earth Changes: Climate, Environment, Quality of Life, supported by the Priority 2030 federal program.