Group values and attitudes as predictors of subjective well-being in Russians and Kazakhs

Abstract

The internalized cultural values are important regulators of human social behavior. The most important values related to cultural attitudes (universals) may affect psychological well- or ill-being. The purpose of the study is to analyze value predictors of psychological well-being in two ethnic groups – the Russians and the Kazakhs. 134 subjects (75 Russians and 59 Kazakhs) took part in the study. It is shown that psychological well-being in Russians is determined by such cultural characteristics as horizontal individualism and psychological well-being in Kazakhs is determined by horizontal collectivism. The group values in Russians have a significantly less pronounced impact on the components of psychological well-being than the group values in Kazakhs. The values of 'respect for authority' (positive in Kazakhs) and 'warmness' (negative both in Kazakhs and Russians) are the basic predictors of psychological well-being. The value of pursuit of the own people interests is a negative factor for different parameters of the psychological well-being both in Kazakhs and Russians.