Human development in the context of society in transition: Sample of Brno Longitudinal Study on Life-Span Development
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| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
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| Description | Macrosocial factors provide a broader perspective of human development, since changes in society to some extent get gradually reflected at the individual level. Unique opportunities for such studies are provided by societies passing through significant change (political, cultural). Social and psychological stability in a changing society is low, while mobility is high. There are only a few psychological (longitudinal) studies which have the potential to address this issue. Among them is the Brno Longitudinal Study on Life-Span Development which began in 1961. The current sample consists of 83 participants (48 women, 35 men, aged 36 to 44 years). In comparison with other longitudinal studies provided in stable societies exploring the area of social functioning, we found differences mainly in the job career area, especially frequent occurrence of changeable career or differences in personality predictors of social characteristics (e.g. level of adolescence extraversion). In terms of psychological characteristics, we focused on subjective health. In this area regression analysis did not confirm any significant effect of the “traditional” correlates of positively assessed health (e.g. sense of coherence). Unlike other psychological research ongoing in changing societies (e.g. reunified Germany, former USSR countries), our research is characterized by higher intergenerational continuity, for example in the field of education. |