The difference between value orientations depending on the level of subjective economic welfare

The article represents the results of the empirical research dedicated to the analysis of the interconnection between subjective economic welfare and the value orientation of a person. The research was based on the sampling of 214 adult respondents, residents of Novosibirsk city, i.e. students, state and commercial organizations employees, and sole traders. The average age of the respondents is 34.42. Among the questioned people, there are 76 men (35.51%) and 138 women (64.49%), representing different social groups with regard to their level of subjective economic welfare. The results of the carried out research allow us to come to the following conclusions. People with a high level of subjective economic welfare are first of all guided by health, love and active energetic life they are striving to achieve by means of honesty, independence and efficiency in their business. This is the evidence of a more expressed active potential, orientation towards self-development and self-realization, assertion of their own individualities, practical orientation and pragmatic approach to problem solving. They are more likely to use the pragmatic and volitional values-means, and they understand the value of honesty as a means to protect social reputation and independence as way to self-assertion. The first-priority values for the respondents with a low level of subjective economic welfare are health, love and prosperity of the family. To achieve them they attach importance to such values-means as responsibility, cheerfulness, and education. They tend to focus on the values of self-preservation and maintenance of stability of the existing condition, positive psychological self-perception, relationships with people around (both close (family) and far (friends) ones), and the substantial significance of prosperity. The representatives of this group are more prone to accept the existing norms, instructions, as well as to behave conventionally. To reach their goals they use a complex of values-means, i.e. the values of professional self-realization, positive psychological self-perception, social responsibility. The value of education is more urgent to them as a means to increase their level of material welfare. As the level of subjective economic welfare grows, the significance of the values of material welfare, happy family life and interesting job as life goals, conscientiousness, endeavour and education as means for achieving these goals decreases. Individual and non-material values as leading life goals are becoming more significant. They may affect the character and quality of the interpersonal relationships or be directed at the realization of individual potential, self-development, self-realization, and assertion of one's own individuality.

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