Artur A. Rean

Background. The study of the connections between values and the aggression of student youth is an independent area of scientific interest in social psychology and has significant implications for youth policy.

Objective. To study the values of Russian university students based on Schwartz’s values theory, and to compare those values with their level of aggression.

Design. The sample consisted of 2,328 university students from nine cities in the Russian Federation. The data was collected online using the Yandex Forms platform. Multi-site convenience sampling with gatekeeper-mediated recruitment was employed. The PVQ-RR instrument was used to evaluate the significance of different values in accordance with Schwartz’s framework. Aggression indicators were assessed using the Buss-Perry questionnaire. Data analysis was performed in RStudio. Student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney U test were used in repeated trials.

Results. Respondents with high physical aggression have significantly higher levels of Stimulation and Power. Respondents with low physical aggression have significantly greater values of Security, Conformity, Humility, and Universalism. High anger relates to values of Self-Direction - Action, Stimulation, Hedonism, Achievement, Power, and Face. A low level of anger is associated with the values Tradition, Conformity, Humility, Universalism, and Benevolence - Dependability. Low hostility corresponds with the expression of Universalism – Tolerance.

Conclusion. Within a sample of Russian students a preference for personal-focused values is associated with higher levels of aggression, while a preference for social-focused values is linked to lower levels.