SELF-DEVELOPMENT AS A FACTOR OF PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE AND PERSONAL GROWTH IN SITUATIONS OF LIFE CRISES

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32782/psyspu/2025.2.17

Keywords:

self-development, life crisis, resilience, personal growth, self-compassion, self-regulation, psychology students

Abstract

During crises, people often find themselves at the limits of their emotional, psychological and physical capabilities, and it is in these moments of testing that they discover sources of strength, resilience and resourcefulness. Facing life challenges can lead to increased selfawareness, improved emotional intelligence and a reassessment of life priorities, and by discovering and using these opportunities, people can catalyze transformative personal development in times of crisis. According to the results of an empirical study of the dispositional characteristics of self-development, resilience and self-compassion among students in conditions of chronic extremism. It was found that the majority of students demonstrate a high level of need for self-development, in particular in self-improvement and conscious selfcreation. However, only a third of those surveyed have a high level of conditions for self-development (self-strength, autonomy, positive self-perception). Students are characterized mainly by an average (moderate) level of resilience. Although they highly value their ability to achieve goals, effectively solve problems, and feel strong, they show low levels of concentration skills in times of difficulty and appeal to higher powers. These results are explained by wartime conditions. Regarding self-compassion as a resource for resilience and selfdevelopment, most students have an average level, showing potential for self-support, but a tendency to self-criticism and isolation. The least developed components are “kindness to oneself” and “mindfulness”. Based on the analysis, a strong positive correlation between self-compassion and resilience is predicted, i.e. there is a need for targeted formation of self-compassion skills to increase psychological resilience and personal growth of students.

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Published

2025-12-30