THE VALUE-SEMANTIC SPHERE OF PERSONALITY: THEORETICAL APPROACHES AND CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/cusu-psy-2025-2-23Keywords:
values, meaning in life, self-regulation, psychological well-being, identity, adaptation, life goalsAbstract
The article presents a theoretical analysis of the value-meaning sphere of personality as a complex regulatory psychological construct that determines life strategies, behavioral attitudes, personal identity, and the level of psychological well-being. The study is based on an integration of existential, humanistic, and cognitive approaches, and involves the analysis of works by V. Frankl, A. Maslow, C. Rogers, M. Rokeach, S. Schwartz, among others. The historical and philosophical origins of the concept of meaning in life are examined, particularly in the writings of J. P. Sartre, K. Jaspers, and V. Frankl. Special attention is paid to the functions of the value-meaning sphere in the processes of adaptation, self-regulation, identity formation, decision-making, and the construction of life perspective.Within the framework of the structural-genetic approach, personality is regarded as an active subject of life- creation who continuously generates meaningful constructs in response to sociocultural challenges. A close relationship is revealed between the structure of the value-meaning sphere and indicators of emotional stability, resilience, internal locus of control, and motivational maturity. Contemporary theoretical models are analyzed, including the Meaning Maintenance Model (Heine et al.), the Self-Concordance Model (Sheldon & Elliot), the Value Congruence Theory (Kristof-Brown et al.), and the Value-Based Goal Theory (Emmons). It is shown that the alignment of life goals with core personal values enhances self-regulation, psychological resilience, life satisfaction, and reduces procrastination and existential anxiety.The role of value-meaning regulation in the context of social transformations – war, forced migration, economic instability, and cultural shifts – is examined separately. It is argued that the value-meaning sphere performs both stabilizing and adaptive functions, serving as an internal resource for coping with crisis and promoting personal growth. Theoretical conclusions are of practical relevance for psychological counseling, educational programs, and the development of personal growth strategies under conditions of social turbulence.
References
Максименко С. Д. Генеза здібностей: психологічна теорія. Київ : Видавничий дім «Слово», 2008. 318 с.
Титаренко Т. М. Особистість в умовах трансформації соціального середовища. Київ : Логос, 2007. 271 с.
Чепелєва Н. В. Ціннісні пріоритети в структурі самосвідомості особистості. Психологія і суспільство. 2012. № 1. С. 112–118.
Ярошенко Н. В. Проблема смисложиттєвих орієнтацій студентської молоді в період соціальних змін. Наука і освіта. 2015. № 3. С. 138–141.
Baumeister R. F. Meanings of life. New York : Guilford Press, 1991. 426 p.
Blouin-Hudon E.-M., Pychyl T. Exploring an evolutionary account of procrastination: Insight from an fMRI study. Personality and Individual Differences. 2016. Vol. 90. P. 34–39.
Emmons R. A. Personal goals, life meaning, and virtue: Wellsprings of a positive life. in:: Keyes C. L. M., Haidt J. (red.). Flourishing: Positive Psychology and the Life Well-Lived. Washington, DC : American Psycho- logical Association, 2003. С. 105–128.
Ferrari J. R. Procrastination and attention: Factor analysis and further evidence of the associations with cognitive and behavioral factors. Journal of Social Behavior and Personality. 2001. Vol. 15 (5). P. 185–196.
Frankl V. Man’s Search for Meaning. Boston : Beacon Press, 1963. 221 p.
Heine S. J., Proulx T., Vohs K. D. The meaning maintenance model: On the coherence of social motiva- tions. Personality and Social Psychology Review. 2006. Vol. 10 (2). P. 88–110.
Higgins E. T. Self-discrepancy: A theory relating self and affect. Psychological Review. 1987. Vol. 94 (3). P. 319–340.
Kashdan T. B., McKnight P. E. Origins of purpose in life: Refining our understanding of a life well lived. Psicothema. 2009. Vol. 21 (1). P. 68–74.
Koestner R., Lekes N., Powers T. A., Chicoine E. Attaining personal goals: Self-concordance plus implementation intentions equals success. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2002. Vol. 83 (1). P. 231–244.
Kristof-Brown A. L., Zimmerman R. D., Johnson E. C. Consequences of individuals’ fit at work: A meta-analysis of person–job, person–organization, person–group, and person–supervisor fit. Personnel Psychology. 2005. Vol. 58. P. 281–342.
Maslow A. H. A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review. 1943. Vol. 50 (4). P. 370–396.
Park C. L. Making sense of the meaning literature: An integrative review of meaning making and its effects on adjustment to stressful life events. Psychological Bulletin. 2010. Vol. 136 (2). P. 257–301.
Pychyl T. A., Flett G. L. Procrastination and self-regulatory failure: An introduction to the special issue. Journal of Rational-Emotive and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. 2012. Vol. 30. P. 203–212.
Rogers C. R. Client-Centered Therapy. Boston : Houghton Mifflin, 1951. 420 p.
Rokeach M. The Nature of Human Values. New York : Free Press, 1973. 438 p.
Schwartz S. H. Universals in the content and structure of values. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology. 1992. Vol. 25. P. 1–65.
Sheldon K. M., Elliot A. J. Goal striving, need satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being: The self-concordance model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 1999. Vol. 76 (3). P. 482–497.
Sirois F., Pychyl T. Procrastination and the priority of short-term mood regulation: Consequences for future self. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 2013. Vol. 7 (2). P. 115–127.
Sirois F. M., Tosti N. Lost in the Moment? An Investigation of Procrastination, Mindfulness, and Well- being. Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy. 2012. Vol. 30 (4). P. 237–248.
Steger M. F. Meaning in life. in: Lopez S., Snyder C. (red.). Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology. 2nd ed. Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2009. С. 679–687.
Steger M. F., Frazier P., Oishi S., Kaler M. The meaning in life questionnaire: Assessing the presence of and search for meaning in life. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 2006. Vol. 53 (1). P. 80–93.
Wong P. T. P. The Human Quest for Meaning: Theories, Research, and Applications. 2nd ed. New York : Routledge, 2012. 481 p.
