Psychological adaptation of Russians in post-Soviet countries: the role of context

The purpose of this paper was to study psychological adaptation ethnic Russians in various contexts post-Soviet countries. To achieve goal, a survey conducted the following seven republics: Estonia (N=314), Kazakhstan (N=179), Kyrgyzstan (N=300), Armenia (N=109), Tajikistan (N=284), Latvia (N=334), Georgia (N=312). total sample size equaled 1832 people. showed that different republics, differs. authors have identified two contextual conditions are important for successful countries: policy towards Russians, which can be either inclusive or restrictive, as well subjective cultural distance. Accordingly, four been identified. With combination policies and short distance (Kazakhstan), favourable, boundaries permeable, bridging (interethnic) social capital is formed. However, there downside such favourable context – assimilation tendencies out there. long (Kyrgyzstan, Armenia), opportunity fully preserve their identity integrate into host society. Such shows highest scores self-esteem one indicators adaptation. In case restrictive (Estonia, Latvia), make kind “request” integration, is, preservation own culture along with inclusion societies. A combining large (Georgia, Tajikistan) most unfavourable Russians. It characteristic context, forced reduce, “conceal” identity, since degree negatively associated life satisfaction,