THE ROLE OF VALUES IN ATTITUDES TOWARD PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH UNDER CONDITIONS OF SUBJECTIVE UNCERTAINTY

Abstract

This article examines the role of value orientations in shaping students’ attitudes toward physical and mental health under conditions of subjective uncertainty in the contemporary social environment. The study is grounded in the principles of personality psychology and health psychology, which view values as key regulators of behavior, motivation, and individual adaptation to stressful conditions. The empirical study was conducted with 50 young participants (aged 17–20) using M. Rokeach’s “Value Orientations” method and the SF-36 v2 Health Survey questionnaire to assess physical and mental health.
The results indicate that the importance of social, professional, individualistic, conformist, and altruistic values correlates with reduced physical functioning, vitality, and emotional well-being, suggesting a psychophysiological interdependence between motivational activity and subjective health status. A strong focus on professional achievements and service to others is associated with lower energy potential, while instrumental values related to self-assertion and practical activity show inverse correlations with physical functioning.
The findings suggest that the development of an adequate value-based attitude toward health serves as an effective mechanism for self-regulation and psychological resilience, which is particularly important under conditions of high uncertainty. The practical significance of this study lies in the potential application of its results for designing psychological support programs and promoting health-preserving behaviors among university students.