Latova N.V., Latov Y.V. Social well-being of Russians and their main fears. In: Russian society and challenges of the time. Book Eight ...

Abstract

While the period from the late 1990s to 2014 was clearly characterized by improvements in virtually all the social well-being indicators examined, the period 2014–2024 was characterized by relative stability (with the exception of severe turbulence during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020–2021). The relatively calm way Russians experienced the events of 2014–2016 and 2022–2024 demonstrates that, despite their sociopolitical relevance, they were perceived by the majority of the population with considerable detachment, contrasting with their much more acute experience of the coronavirus crisis. At the same time, fears of loss of health (death), either of oneself or of loved ones, are widespread among Russians, while fears of property loss are less common. Accordingly, the most severe phobias are associated with terrorist attacks, emergency situations, and street hazards. Overall, the trends of the last decade warrant a mixed assessment. On the one hand, there is no reason to fear increased threats to national security, understood as the stability of the socio-political situation. The crises of varying nature and severity that Russians have experienced repeatedly over the past 30-35 years appear to have sufficiently hardened them. Only prolonged threats to life, health, and their usual way of life (as during the 2020-2021 pandemic) that directly affect the majority of people can shake them from their predominantly positive emotions.