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DISTINGUISHING FEATURES IN SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING BETWEEN RUSSIAN AND CHINESE STUDENTS

T. Pilishvil, A. Danilova, Y. Dyukareva

Abstract

The study of subjective well-being of Russian and Chinese students appears relevant, firstly, because of an individual’s pursuit of inner harmony, which becomes ever more important in the modern multi-cultured society where the number of contacts between people of different ethnic backgrounds is constantly increasing, and the societal demands for individuals are growing. Secondly, the relevance of the study is accentuated by the growing dynamism of Russian-Chinese relations, showcased by high student mobility that necessitates the establishment of effective inter-cultural relations and an adequate psychology-based framework for handling foreign students in Russian universities. In the present paper we study the subjective well-being in the framework of the eudemonic approach, that was conceived by K. Riff and is being developed by P.P. Fesenko as an «…integral indicator of an individual’s orientation towards realizing the fundamental components of positive functioning (self-development, self-acceptance, environment management, autonomy, life goals, positive personal relations), as well as an indicator showing the degree to which this orientation is realized, which is subjectively internalized as a feeling of satisfaction with oneself and one’s life». [2] The present study includes 129 participants from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN), equalized by sex. Among them are 65 Russian and 64 Chinese students aged from 18 to 24 (the average age being 21). Determining subjective well-being of Russian students is done by using the 84-item Ryff’s scales of psychological well-being (SPWB), adapted by Shevelenkova-Fesenko. For Chinese students we use the same 84-item SPWB, translated to Chinese. The study shows that Russian students rate their subjective well-being higher than their Chinese counterparts in the «autonomy» and «life goals» categories. Moreover, comparative analysis of responses by female participants also shows similar results. Russian female and male participants do not display any significant differences in their assessments, but Chinese male participants rate their subjective well-being higher than Chinese female participants.

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