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Introduction
Psychology is closely related to various fields of scientific knowledge, which actively study the strategy of an individual's life and his life path. Those include sociology and philosophy. But the main role in the study of the problem of personal life path belongs to psychologists, and the rest have added this topic to the sphere of their interests relatively recently.
The definition of the life path was formed and is most often used in psychology. The pioneer in this field, who created the periodization of the life path, was E. F. Brunswick (Golovakha E.I. Life prospects and value orientations of the personality // Psychology of personality in the works of domestic psychologists, SPb.: Peter, 2001). In the 30s of the twentieth century, she described in detail the spiritual values of the individual, later transforming her thoughts into a scientific concept. She was also the first to try to integrate sociology with psychology. E. F. Brunswick has studied the lives of hundreds of famous rulers, poets, writers, and even tycoons. She examined their lives in the context of the influence of social factors, as well as personal experiences. The conclusion was that the life of each individual passes through five strictly differentiated stages (Golovakha E.I. Life prospects and value orientations of the personality // Psychology of personality in the works of domestic psychologists / Ed. L. V. Kulikova. SPb.: Peter, 2001).
Later, these reflections became the basis for the famous concept of E. Erikson (Erikson E. Childhood and society. - SPb.: University book, 1996). The essence of it was to divide the life path into eight psychosocial stages. He was one of the first psychologists who expressed the idea that with the onset of mature years, the formation of personality does not stop. In the middle of the twentieth century, in his work "Childhood and Society", he clearly and concretely explained the main provisions of his views on the path of life. Also E. Erikson proposed a scheme that demonstrates a progressively unfolding life path. The scientist called this scheme of the life cycle-the epigenetic principle (Erikson E. Childhood and society. - SPb.: University book, 1996; Erikson E. Identity: youth and crisis: M.: Progress, 1996).
At different stages of the formation of an individual, a conflict situation occurs that determines the emergence of certain individual characteristics. This conflict provides a basis for strengthening the individual, but if it is successfully overcome. If the choice is destructive, then the personality weakens. For making decisions, making choices, it is widely important to study the goals and paths available in life. In the short term, the person not only makes a choice, but also accepts it (Yuen, Mantak & Lee, Queenie & Kam, Jason & Lau, Patrick, 2015).
S. L. Rubinstein actively researched the problems of the life path (Rubinstein S.L. Man and the world. - SPb.: Peter, 2002). Referring to the works of C. Bühler, who considered the life path in the format of personal history, S. L. Rubinstein rated it, on the whole, positively. At the same time, he did not agree with the hypothesis of C. Bühler, that a person in the path of life is only the result of planning which takes place during childhood. At the same time, C. Bühler advised to explore the way of life as the development of the inner world of a person (Rubinstein S.L. Man and the world. - SPb.: Peter, 2002).
S. L. Rubinstein argued that a way of life is a single particular formation. At the same time, at essential certain stages, which can become fateful due to human activity, this life path is significantly transformed.
In a classic psychological science, way of life was investigated according to age categories (Cotton Bronk, Kendall & Hill, Patrick & Lapsley, Daniel & Talib, Tasneem & Finch, Holmes., 2009). The research mainly focused on such age groups as old age and childhood. In addition to age-related characteristics, a number of authors investigate ethnic characteristics of the choice of values and goals (Moran, Seana., 2014).
A number of studies show the influence of schoolteachers on the choice of values (Joseph, Matthew & Tirri, Kirsi, 2014). As Cote James notes, knowing your goals and strengths and weaknesses helps you recognize obstacles and opportunities (Cote, James., 1996, 1997). This means that the goal can be used as a form of capital for personal growth (Cote, James & Schwartz, Seth, 2003). In more recent works, the author has explored the causes and consequences stem from the affluence purpose paradox, using an interdisciplinary approach to life path research (Cote, James, 2018). In the recent past, psychologists and psychiatrists very rarely studied the life path of a mature person, as well as the characteristic stages of transformation and prospects.
Finding a goal in life is a complex process (Burrow, Anthony & O'Dell, Amanda & Hill, Patrick, 2009). Definitions of a person's "life goals" vary, but often contain commitment, goal-directedness, and personal meaningfulness (Cotton Bronk, Kendall, 2014). Moran, for example, considered the goal as an abstract concept that is the reason for self-regulation of a person and the application of great efforts (Moran, Seana, 2010). Many authors and researchers have considered the goal generally, laying weight on the attribute for building personal life goals (Burrow, Anthony & Hill, Patrick., 2011, Damon, William & Mariano, Jenni & Cotton Bronk, Kendall., 2019, Hill, Patrick & Burrow, Anthony & O'Dell, Amanda & Thornton, Meghan. 2010).
Changes in the concepts of the life path occur after the publication of scientific works by Western psychologists R. Havighurst and B. Neugarten (Nuttin J., Lens W. Future Time Perspective and Motivations: Theory and Research Method. N. J. Leuven University Press and Erlbaum, 1985). They assumed that transformations in the psyche occur throughout the entire course of life. That is, changes include not only the formation in childhood and senile "withering".
In psychology, the life path was studied as the history of personality formation. In Soviet psychology, the complex system of formation of psychophysiological aspects of a mature individual at the stages of early and middle maturity was studied by B.G. Ananiev (Ananiev B.G. Genetic and structural relationships in personality development // Personality psychology in the works of domestic psychologists, SPb.: Peter, 2001; Ananiev B.G. Psychological structure of personality and its formation in the process of individual human development // Psychology of personality in the works of domestic psychologists / SPb.: Peter, 2001).
Psychologists who study the life path of an individual agree with each other in the opinion that there are relationships between the stages of the life path at the gene level. This determines the patterns of life path. To understand the essence of a certain stage of the life path, it is necessary to compare it with the system of the life cycle, while not forgetting about the relevant consequences for human development, but also about the long-term perspective. The study of the entire length of the life path, from preparation to the final, becomes significant.
Development
Methods
The object of our research is the life prospects of different age groups.
The subject of the study is the psychological characteristics of life prospects.
The aim of the study is to study the psychological characteristics of life prospects of people in different age groups.
The hypothesis of the study is that socio-demographic indicators are the main factor in determining the life prospects of an individual, and in different age groups life prospects change.
Our research was conducted in the city of Baku. The number of respondents who took part in the experiment is 450. They were separated into three age groups: 25-35 years; 35-45 and 45-60 years. The first age group consisted of 150 people -70 (47%) men and 80 (53%) women; the second group - 75 (50%) men and 75 (50%) women; the third age group - 85 (57%) men and 65 (43%) women.
Respondents were offered a battery of tests. Each test material was accompanied by a response form. In the form, the subjects indicated their age and gender, social status, and wrote an essay on the topic: "How do you see your future? Your life prospects?" The most interesting and unusual essays of respondents of 3 age groups are published below:
First age group 20-35 years
Life loves hardworking, merry, and cheerful people, and does not favor whiners and pessimists. In it, nothing is given just like that. In many professions, mastery comes with years, sometimes it is quite a long period. The most important thing is to discover an occupation which will allow one to realize their full potential. Do not chase the momentary benefits, thereby missing your chance in the future (25 years);
Of course, you want to try everything while you're young. But the interests of modern youth are quite deplorable: computer games, alcohol, cigarettes - mostly entertainment. And only a smaller percentage is engaged in sports and pays attention to their health - thinking about the future. I believe that I have achieved a lot in life and I am not going to stop just yet. The future will be wonderful (33 years old).
For a modern person, most importantly you need to be in good physical shape, have a higher education, and finally look good. Many people look up to movie stars or pop stars, if we pay attention to their appearance; they are always in good shape, beautifully dressed, fit, and well-groomed. Stars are role models for many young people. Therefore, I believe that it is necessary to make a lot of effort in order to achieve this goal in the long term. I believe in it (20 years old).
The biggest goal in my life will be to get a good profession, from which I would receive both material and moral benefits. This is a very important and responsible step in the life of every young person, because a favorite job makes a person's life really interesting, and uninteresting and boring one turns into a heavy burden (22 years).
I believe that each new generation is different in its uniqueness. It's neither better nor worse - it's just different, not the same as it was before. The generation gap has always existed. Young people always find a way out of the situation and therefore all the problems that arise in front of them can be considered solvable, so let our parents not worry. We are not inferior to them in any way. And maybe we will be even more successful than them (28 years).
The answers of the respondents of the 2nd and 3rd groups were distinguished by their conciseness and concreteness.
Second age group 35-45
Do not waste your best years on gloom and sadness. You need to be able to always be happy. Live for today. Don't think about problems (48 years old).
Often a person forgets about his inner world, as society first of all pays attention to the appearance, and what is inside is not interesting to everyone (37 years old).
Nowadays, we should not forget about spirituality and morality. A person not physically strong, but strong in spirit, can overcome all the difficulties of life. Do not despair (44 years).
The goal in life is a beacon, without which it is easy to get lost on the path of life. Therefore, it is especially important to correctly determine in which direction it is worth moving. The goal in life, in my opinion, can be what you want, which allows you to develop, and also benefits other people (38 years old).
Third age group 45-60
Life is a gift from the Almighty that must be valued. Cherish every minute, because it is unknown what awaits us tomorrow (60 years).
You need to appreciate your own life, enjoy every day you live. I can devote myself to my favorite activity. My life revolves around my children and grandchildren (58 years old).
Sometimes it seems that the whole life is still ahead of you, but it's far from the truth. Time is merciless. It doesn't make allowances for anyone. Watching after those who passed away, you realize that there is nothing eternal on earth (59 years).
People complain that it is impossible to live a decent life on the current money and pensions. But I think that the government gives way for us to take care of ourselves at the old age (47 years).
Currently, there are many ways to influence your future pension, but you need to have the necessary information and respond to changes in society in time (59 years old).
As I reached retirement age, my life became more intense and interesting. I am full of strength and energy (60 years old).
Young people are worthy of their ancestors, this is our support in life, which having replaced us, will correct the mistakes of our generation (59 years old).
We are told that you are not keeping up with the times. Modern people are not bad guys who grew up with gadgets and computers, they just can't help being up to date. Had we been born at this time, we would be no better. I believe in myself (55 years old).
The answers of respondents of 3 age groups do not differ much in their content. In all groups, there is optimism, faith in the future, and hope for improvements in the future. But for the reliability of the information, we will compare their answers with the results of the conducted methods and only after that we will be able to assert their sincerity and reliability.
The next stage of our research was to instruct and motivate respondents about the methods used. It should be noted that the instructions were presented both online, via social networks, and in writing.
D.A. Leontiev’s Purpose-in-Life Test（PIL).
With the help of the proposed methodology, it is possible to assess the "source" of the meaning of life, which can be found in the future - as goals, in the present as a process or in the past - as a result, or in all three components of life.
This test is an adapted version of the Purpose-in-Life Test (PIL) James Crumbaugh and Leonard Maholick (Crumbaugh, J.D., & Maholick, L.T., 1964). The PIL test, together with the general indicator of meaningfulness of life, includes 5 subscales that reflect 3 specific life-meaning orientations: 1. goals in life; 2. saturation of life; 3. satisfaction with self-realization and 2 aspects of the locus of control 1. The locus of self-control; 2. The locus of life control. As is known, the locus of control is a predictor of many vital signs (Furnham A., Cheng H., 2017).
The predictive power of the locus of control in relation to many variables of life outcomes has been demonstrated by other authors (Conell-Price, Lynn & Jamison, Julian., 2014, Plunkett, Helen & Buehner, Marc, 2007, Stumm, Sophie & Gale, Catharine & Batty, G. & Deary, Ian, 2009). First, let us consider the results of our methodology. In the PIL test, life is considered meaningful only if a person sets certain goals, achieves results, and makes the right choice when selecting them. The person has the satisfaction of achieving them, and also becomes more confident in their own personal value. Here the relationship is as follows: goals - with the future, emotional fullness - with the present, satisfaction (achieved result) - with the past.
Every person encounters a certain situation in the form of deeds, actions or inaction which provides an opportunity to make their own choice in the present: life has a meaning, or it does not.
Implemented, meaningful choices are shaped by the past (it should be noted here that this is a subjective interpretation of each person). The future is primarily the expected results of efforts made in the present. That is, the doors to the future are wide open, but the future itself depends on the attractive motivation.
Results
Let's consider the average values of the indicators of the PIL of 3 groups according to the gender criterion. When analyzing the scales of the PIL questionnaire, in order to compare the indicators of this technique depending on gender data, a t-test for independent variables was conducted. As can be seen from Table 1, there are no statistically significant differences depending on gender, but the indicators of women are slightly higher. Only indicators on the life outcomes were statistically significant. The average values for men were M=23.42±6.5, for women M=26.9±5.6, p≤0.001.
Table 1. The average values of the indicators of the PIL of 3 groups according to the gender criterion
| Scales | Gender | Number of tests N | M | Std. Deviation | P | |
| Life purposes | M | 207 | 31.33 | 7.377 | 0.064 | |
| F | 243 | 33.90 | 7.622 | |||
| Life process | M | 207 | 29.60 | 7.352 | 0.313 | |
| F | 243 | 30.84 | 6.201 | |||
| Life outcomes | M | 207 | 23.42 | 6.533 | 0.002 | |
| F | 243 | 26.90 | 5.559 | |||
| locus of self-control | M | 207 | 20.19 | 4.321 | 0.565 | |
| F | 243 | 20.70 | 5.128 | |||
| Locus of life control | M | 207 | 27.96 | 6.996 | 0.012 | |
| F | 243 | 31.27 | 7.112 |
We can argue that gender has an impact on the life outcomes. Women assess the spent part of life more adequately, perceive it as meaningful. On the contrary, dissatisfaction with the spent part of life can be observed among men. The following fact attracts attention. Despite the fact that there are no statistically significant differences on the locus of life control scale, however, its level is higher in women than in men (M=31.27±7.1 in women, M=27.96±6.97). These indicators show that women, unlike men, are better able to control their lives, freely make decisions and implement them.
Table 2 shows the average indicators of the PIL questionnaire, depending on the involvement of respondents in labor activity. As can be seen from the table, there are statistically significant differences in indicators (p=,000). Respondents engaged in labor activity had the highest indicators for life goals (M=38.01±1.24, p=, 000), life processes (M=34.11±4.09, p≤0.001) and life outcomes (M=37.19±2.04, p≤0.002) than the unemployed. The unemployed live today and yesterday, they are dissatisfied with their life in the present and are generally dissatisfied with the life they have lived.
Table 2. The average values of the indicators of the PIL of 3 groups according to the employment status
| Scales | Employment status | Mean | Std. Deviation | P |
| Life purposes | Employed | 38.01 | 1.214 | 0.000 |
| Unemployed | 21.43 | 5.874 | ||
| Life process | Employed | 34.11 | 4.094 | 0.001 |
| Unemployed | 22.78 | 2.187 | ||
| Life outcomes | Employed | 37.19 | 2.043 | 0.002 |
| Unemployed | 30.12 | 3.763 | ||
| locus of self-control | Employed | 34.11 | 3.773 | 0.102 |
| Unemployed | 29.56 | 7.771 | ||
| Locus of life control | Employed | 31.15 | 7.187 | 0.298 |
| Unemployed | 29.21 | 4.054 |
Table 3 shows the average indicators of the PIL questionnaire depending on the next sociodemographic variable of our study, which is education. The majority of respondents in our study had a higher education (N=180 (40%)). As can be seen from the table, there are statistically significant differences in indicators (p=,000). Respondents with higher education on all scales had the highest indicators. But statistically significant were the indicators for life goals (M=37.98±6.06, p=, 000), life processes (M=35.32±1.8, p≤0.001), life outcomes (M=30.86±7.2 p≤0.001) and the locus of self-control (M=29.43±3.3 p≤0.002). The lowest indicators on the scales are observed in respondents with secondary education. It can be concluded that the level of education of respondents has an impact on life prospects. People with lower education levels are less certain of their power to control events in their own life; they are also more dissatisfied with both the present and spent parts of their lives.
Table 3. The average values of the indicators of the PIL of 3 groups according to the education level
| Scales | Education level | M | Std. Deviation | P |
| Life purposes | Secondary | 16.43 | 6.053 | 0.000 |
| Apprenticeship | 26.76 | 7.008 | ||
| Higher | 37.98 | 6.066 | ||
| Life process | Secondary | 19.46 | 8.012 | 0.001 |
| Apprenticeship | 21.12 | 2.997 | ||
| Higher | 35.32 | 1.876 | ||
| Life outcomes | Secondary | 17.18 | 2.066 | 0.001 |
| Apprenticeship | 22.09 | 2.981 | ||
| Higher | 30.86 | 7.238 | ||
| locus of self-control | Secondary | 20.12 | 1.765 | 0.002 |
| Apprenticeship | 20.65 | 7.985 | ||
| Higher | 29.43 | 3.321 | ||
| Locus of life control | Secondary | 18.12 | 5.654 | 0.215 |
| Apprenticeship | 21.66 | 3.985 | ||
| Higher | 23.87 | 2.097 |
The last sociodemographic variable in our study was the indicator of marital status. 55% of our respondents were married. As can be seen from Table 4, there are statistically significant differences between the PIL methodology scales in life purposes (M=38.9±1.9, p≤0.001), life outcomes (M= 21.3 ±1.2, p≤0.001) and life process (M=31.0± 3.1, p=0.000) and marital status. It can be assumed that for family people, the family is a strong support. After all, it is family respondents who consider the process of their life as interesting, emotionally rich and filled with meaning. Dissatisfaction with their life, a person living for today or in the past - all these features are characteristic of respondents who are not married and have vague ideas about life prospects.
Table 4. The average values of the indicators of the PIL of 3 groups according to the marital status
| Scales | Marital status | Mean | Std. Deviation | P |
| Life purposes | Married | 38.9 | 1.901 | 0.001 |
| Single | 26.4 | 5.821 | ||
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| Life process | Married | 31.0 | 3.132 | 0.000 |
| Single | 12.7 | 6.546 | ||
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| Life outcomes | Married | 21.3 | 1.234 | 0.001 |
| Single | 13.7 | 4.654 | ||
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| locus of self-control | Married | 22.5 | 5.654 | 0.987 |
| Single | 20.3 | 8.984 | ||
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| Locus of life control | Married | 18.1 | 4.732 | 0.455 |
| Single | 16.7 | 5.789 |
The main point of interest to us in the study was to identify the relationship between the indicators of the PIL methodology. To this end, we conducted a correlation analysis for quantitative indicators.
In the correlation analysis, a strong direct relationship was found in men of 3 age groups. As a result of using the method of correlation analysis in a group of men of 3 age groups, the presence of relationships between the indicators of life goals with the process of life (r=0.755, p=0.000) and the locus of life control (r=0.650, p=0.000) was revealed. There is also a strong direct relationship between the process of life and the locus of self-control (r=0.698, p=0.000). The use of the method of correlation analysis in a group of male subjects of 3 age groups allowed us to establish the presence of a relationship between the above-mentioned indicators. This suggests that, given enough freedom of choice, the more purposeful a person is, the more emotionally rich their life will be in the future and the easier it will be for them to build their life in accordance with their goals, objectives, and ideas about its meaning.
Table 5. Correlation analysis in men of 3 age groups
| life purposes | life process | life outcomes | locus of self-control | locus of life control | ||
| life purposes | Pearson Correlation | 1 | ,755** | ,465** | ,523** | ,650** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,001 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| life process | Pearson Correlation | ,755** | 1 | ,514** | ,698** | ,599** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| life outcomes | Pearson Correlation | ,465** | ,514** | 1 | ,450** | ,570** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,001 | ,000 | ,001 | ,000 | ||
| Pearson Correlation | ,523** | ,698** | ,450** | 1 | ,519** | |
| locus of self-control | Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,001 | ,000 | |
| Pearson Correlation | ,650** | ,599** | ,570** | ,519** | 1 | |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 |
Let's consider the correlation analysis in women. In the correlation analysis, a strong direct relationship was also found in women of 3 age groups (see Table 6). As a result of applying the method of correlation analysis in the group of women in contrast to men, the presence of a weak direct relationship between life goals and other PIL indicators methods (the result of life, process of life, locus of self-control and the locus of control of life) was revealed. This first of all means that their plans do not have a real support in the present and are not supported by personal responsibility for their implementation. These are people who live for today or in the past. But in women, there is direct correlations between the indicators of life processes and life outcomes (r=0.660, p=0.000), the locus of self-control (r=0.719, p=0.000) and the locus of life control (r=0.627, p=0.000).
Table 6. Correlation analysis in women of 3 age groups
| life purposes | life process | life outcomes | locus of self-control | locus of life control | ||
| life purposes | Pearson Correlation | 1 | ,332** | ,349** | ,323** | ,277* |
|
|
||||||
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,005 | ,003 | ,006 | ,020 | ||
| life process | Pearson Correlation | ,332** | 1 | ,660** | ,719** | ,627** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,005 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| life outcomes | Pearson Correlation | ,349** | ,660** | 1 | ,656** | ,688** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,003 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| locus of self-control | Pearson Correlation | ,323** | ,719** | ,656** | 1 | ,749** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,006 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| locus of life control | Pearson Correlation | ,277* | ,627** | ,688** | ,749 ** | 1 |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,020 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 |
**Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
*Correlation is significant at the 0.05 level (2-tailed).
The more emotionally active life is, the more productive and meaningful the part of it is considered to have been, the easier it is to make decisions and implement them.
There is also a strong direct relationship between the outcome of life and the locus of life control (r=0.688, p=0.000) and the locus of self-control (r=0.656, p=0.000), as well as the locus of life control with the locus of self-control (r=0.749, p=0.000). The greater the satisfaction with self-realization, the freer people are to choose to build their life in accordance with their goals and objectives and the easier it is to make decisions and implement them.
The use of the method of correlation analysis in a group of male subjects of 3 age groups allowed us to establish the presence of a relationship between the above-mentioned indicators.
Discussions
Tables 7, 8 and 9 provide a correlation analysis of each age group. As can be seen from the table in the correlation analysis of respondents in the first age group (20-35 years), a strong direct relationship was found for all indicators of the PIL methodology (Table 7). The goals of life are directly correlated with the processes and results of life, the locus of self-control and life. In most psychological studies (Damon, William & Mariano, Jenni & Cotton Bronk, Kendall, 2019), purpose is mixed with personal meaning. This viewpoint considers the goal as a broad internally oriented construct.
Table 7. Correlation analysis of the 1st age group
| life purposes | life process | life outcomes | locus of self-control | locus of life control | ||
| life purposes | Pearson Correlation | 1 | ,632** | ,797** | ,604** | ,805** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| life process | Pearson Correlation | ,632** | 1 | ,688** | ,694** | ,575** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ,001 | ||
| life outcomes | Pearson Correlation | ,797** | ,688** | 1 | ,716** | ,777** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| locus of self-control | Pearson Correlation | ,604** | ,694** | ,716** | 1 | ,627** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| locus of life control | Pearson Correlation | ,805 ** | ,575** | ,777** | ,627** | 1 |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,001 | ,000 | ,000 |
**. Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Table 8. Correlation analysis of the 2nd age group
| Scales | life purposes | life process | life outcomes | locus of self-control | locus of life control | |
| life purposes | Pearson Correlation | 1 | ,174 | ,129 | ,035 | ,082 |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,243 | ,388 | ,816 | ,582 | ||
| life process | Pearson Correlation | ,174 | 1 | ,741** | ,772** | ,747** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,243 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| life outcomes | Pearson Correlation | ,129 | ,741** | 1 | ,642** | ,790** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,388 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| locus of self-control | Pearson Correlation | ,035 | ,772** | ,642** | 1 | ,759** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,816 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| locus of life control | Pearson Correlation | ,082 | ,747** | ,790** | ,759** | 1 |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,582 | ,000 | ,000 | ,000 |
**Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
Table 9. Correlation analysis of the 3rd age group
| Correlations | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| life purposes | life process | life outcomes | locus of self-control | locus of life control | ||
| life purposes | Pearson Correlation | 1 | ,804** | ,475** | ,686 ** | ,533** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,001 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| life process | Pearson Correlation | ,804 ** | 1 | ,444** | ,659** | ,554** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,003 | ,000 | ,000 | ||
| life outcomes | Pearson Correlation | ,475** | ,444** | 1 | ,424** | ,480** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,001 | ,003 | ,005 | ,001 | ||
| locus of self-control | Pearson Correlation | ,686** | ,659** | ,424** | 1 | ,562** |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,005 | ,000 | ||
| locus of life control | Pearson Correlation | ,533** | ,554** | ,480** | ,562** | 1 |
| Sig. (2-tailed) | ,000 | ,000 | ,001 | ,000 | ||
**Correlation is significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed).
These indicators can be traced in all scales. This suggests that the respondents of this age group live in the future, they are satisfied with the life they have lived, they perceive themselves as a strong person who has sufficient freedom of choice. They are able to control their lives, freely make decisions and implement them. The correlation analysis of the 3rd age group (45-60 years) is not very different from the indicators of the 1st age group. There is also a strong direct relationship between the methodology scales. But completely different indicators were found in the second age group (35-45 years).
There is a weak direct relationship between the life purpose scale and other scales (life process r =0.174, p=0.243; life result r =0.129, p=0.388; locus of self-control r =0.35, p=0.816; life control locus r = 0.82 p=0.582). The lack of a direct strong relationship between these scales suggests that the respondents of this age group are characterized by the lack of future life purposes, which would give life meaning, direction and time perspective. These are people who live for today or in the past.
Conclusions
According to the obtained data of the PIL methodology, we can conclude:
Gender has an impact on the life outcomes. Women assess the spent part of life more adequately, perceive it as meaningful. On the contrary, dissatisfaction with the spent part of life can be observed among men. Women, unlike men, are better able to control their lives, freely make decisions and implement them.
The level of education of respondents has an impact on life prospects. People with lower education levels are less certain of their power to control events in their own life; they are also more dissatisfied with both the present and spent parts of their lives.
Respondents who are married consider the process of their life as interesting, emotionally rich and filled with meaning. Dissatisfaction with their life, a person living for today or in the past - all these features are characteristic of respondents who are not married and have vague ideas about life prospects.
Labor activity helps respondents to socialize, which leads to an improvement in their level of living and quality of life. The unemployed live for today and in the past; they are dissatisfied with their life in the present and are generally dissatisfied with the life they have lived.
The use of the method of correlation analysis in a group of male subjects of 3 age groups allowed us to establish the presence of a relationship between the indicators. This suggests that, given enough freedom of choice, the more purposeful a person is, the more emotionally rich their life will be in the future and the easier it will be for them to build their life in accordance with their goals, objectives, and ideas about its meaning.
The use of the method of correlation analysis in a group of female subjects of 3 age groups allowed us to establish the presence of a relationship between the indicators. The more emotionally charged life is, the more productive and meaningful the part of it is considered to have been, the easier it is to make decisions and implement them. The greater the satisfaction with self-realization, the freer people are to choose to build their life in accordance with their goals and objectives and the easier it is to make decisions and implement them.
The correlation analysis of the 1st and 3rd age groups did not differ much in their indicators. In the second age group, there was no connection between the life purposes and the other scales of the method. The respondents of this age group are characterized by the lack of future life purposes, which would give life meaning, direction and time perspective. These are people who live for today or in the past.
