Tikhonova N.E., Dudin I.V. Russians’ adaptation to the transforming reality: Indicators, state and factors. RUDN Journal of Sociology. 2026. Vol. 26. No. 3. P. 830–846.

Текст статьи на сайте журнала URL: https://journals.rudn.ru/sociology/article/view/52834# (дата обращения 20.10.2026)

Abstract

Based on the data of the nationwide survey conducted by the Institute of Sociology of FCTAS RAS in October 2025 (N = 2000), the authors show that actual adaptability to external conditions and objective indicators of adaptation to them are different phenomena. Moreover, objective indicators of adaptability have less heuristic potential than those based on personal perception of the relationship between one’s needs and ability to satisfy them. The adaptive potential of Russians is quite high: about a third can be considered well- adapted, half — poorly adapted, and the rest — moderately adapted. For younger people, the corresponding indicators are even more favorable: the share of well- adapted is almost 45 %, while the share of maladapted — a quarter of that. Poorly adapted Russians suffer primarily from health problems due to lack of access to medical care; financial problems, especially those limiting their ability to spend free time; and social insecurity in case of losing job. According to the regression analysis, factors that increase chances of being classified as poorly adapted include poor health, employment in low- level trade and service jobs or low- and medium- skilled blue- collar jobs, unwillingness to take responsibility for one’s life and lack of long- term planning skills. For younger people, only the last two factors are important. The most significant factors for successful adaptation, in addition to good health, include being a part of high- resource social networks, taking personal responsibility for one’s life, and a belief in one’s own efforts for achieving success (for younger people only health). The decisive role of health in successful adaptation suggests the inadequacy of the current social policy for Russians with poor health.