Abstract
Introduction. A multitude of factors, ranging from social to emotional, influence the propensity to reside in urban areas and psychological security is likely to be one of them. The objective of this study was to analyze the characteristics of psychological security, as a factor which could predict a city dweller's desire to retain residence in their current domicile. Methods. The study was conducted on a sample of 272 residents of the city of Yekaterinburg, aged between 18 and 60 years. The methodology of measuring the psychological security of city residents, developed by O. Y. Zotova and L. V. Tarasova, was employed to assess the psychological security of city residents. To investigate the desire to remain living in the city where the respondent currently resides, a questionnaire survey was used. Results. The study revealed that the desire of a city resident to maintain their place of residence is based on the features of psychological security. The determinants of this choice are shown to be significant, with variables such as environmental influence, reliability, and self-efficacy being particularly salient for older individuals, whilst for their younger counterparts, comfort, trusting relationships, and freedom are more important. The motivation to remain in one's place of residence, as expressed by the older group, is underpinned by a desire to exercise agency over the surrounding environment (i. e. a perception of reliability and control). In contrast, the inclination among the younger group is motivated by a sense of assurance in the favorable nature of the environment (i. e. a perception of comfort and friendliness). The findings of the study also demonstrated a strong correlation between parental preference and their offspring's place of residence, with older residents exhibiting a stronger inclination to have their children reside in the same city. Discussion. The results of the study indicate an overwhelming preference amongst the Yekaterinburg populace to maintain their residency in the city, irrespective of age. The psychological security indicators of Yekaterinburg city residents are found to be at average and above-average levels, indicating that residents have satisfied their basic needs in self-preservation and that their own perception of psychological security in the city is satisfactory. A sense of psychological security is conducive to the confidence of residents in the livability, predictability, convenience and manageability of the city. This study enabled the identification of discrepancies between the various age groups. Within the older age group, security is not associated with a desire to alter the environment or to invest resources. In the younger age group, a predictor of reluctance to reside in the city is such a variable as freedom. They do not perceive the security of life in their city within the context of freedom, defined as the ability to make their own decisions and choose their own behaviour.
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