Timothy Nestik

The results of an empirical study that address the structure and socio-psychological predictors of the long-term orientation among young Russian adults (N = 1970) are presented. The hypothesis about the existence of different socio-psychological types of long-term orientation was confirmed. Along with short-term-oriented types (“pessimists” − 8.9% and “tactics” − 24.2%), long-term-oriented ones were identified (“strategists” − 19.8%, “personal achievement-oriented optimists” − 15,2%; “pro-social visionaries” − 12.7%; “responsible traditionalists” − 19.2%). The empirical typology of long-term orientation that we have constructed confirms the assumption that there is both a collectivist orientation towards the long-term future, based on trust in social institutions and empathy (“pro-social visionaries”, “responsible traditionalists”), and an individualistic orientation, in which long-term forecasting and planning associated with an orientation toward personal achievement and independence (“strategists” and “achievement-oriented optimists”). With the help of structural modeling, relationships between the components of long-term orientation, as well as their socio-psychological predictors, were revealed: first, descriptive norms and prosocial attitudes; secondly, individualistic values and self-efficacy; thirdly, anxiety associated with changes in society. For the first time, the relationship between long-term orientation and descriptive norms was confirmed, that is, a person's representation of how typical long-term orientation is for people around her and for Russians in general. For the first time, it has been shown that various components of long-term orientation can be enhanced or weakened by anxiety: on the one hand, anxiety about the future and distress during a pandemic reduce the belief in rewarding long-term efforts and optimism, on the other hand, they stimulate interest in the long-term future and the desire to set long-term goals.