Social determinants of happiness in a risk society
Students Name: Malynovska Zoriana Petrivna
Qualification Level: magister
Speciality: Sociology
Institute: Institute of the Humanities and Social Sciences
Mode of Study: part
Academic Year: 2022-2023 н.р.
Language of Defence: ukrainian
Abstract: In connection with recent events, Ukrainian society has acquired many features of a risk society, because it is now in a state of war, since 2019, like the whole world, it has suffered from a pandemic, since 2014 it has experienced the revolution of dignity, the occupation of some territories of Ukraine, etc. The phenomenon of happiness remains a relevant issue in the context of the impact of social risks, because the study of this phenomenon in the conditions of the pandemic showed that people can be happy even in difficult social conditions, but the values and determinants of happiness will change. The results of the study before the war in the conditions of the pandemic indicated the most important determinants: health and the presence of close people. Therefore, happiness takes place even in difficult social conditions. Happiness is a complex phenomenon, its study requires a comprehensive approach; it is not just a person’s feelings, but also objective reasons that are directly related to society, social conditions, which, reflected in the human consciousness, affect a person’s awareness of happiness or unhappiness. As a social being, a person depends on the social environment, which directly affects a person, his behavior, and can also affect his feelings and understanding of happiness. According to R. Layard, states must concentrate and direct their forces to achieve the happiness of all people in society, because this is the most important indicator for the country, which shows the correctness of its functioning. The first and most famous empirical studies of happiness began to be conducted in the psychological and economic sciences. The World Happiness Report, World Values Survey is an international research that is conducted every year around the world to determine the happiness index in different countries of the world, factors and correlates. In Ukraine, the study of happiness is conducted by KMIS, annual press releases are conducted by V. Paniotto, Yu. Sakhno, and A. Pyaskovska. The World Values Survey cooperates with Ukraine and provides results in comparison with other countries. However, there are still many questions that are open in sociology in the study of happiness. After analyzing empirical studies and theoretical sources on the topic, we understand that there is an insufficiently studied topic of happiness in the understanding and perception of young people, because we see a trend - this is the happiest age category. The modern world, more than ever, has many risks in various spheres of human activity, every day people face difficult situations in which they need to be flexible and able to react quickly. An example is Ukrainian society, as in most societies, the pandemic, which affected all spheres of people’s lives, made adjustments. Today is a very difficult period for Ukraine, after Russia introduced its troops into the territory of our country and started a war, the risks and consequences of risks make themselves felt every day. This especially affected the feeling of happiness of young people and, in general, all categories of people. The most common theories interpreting happiness from the standpoint of sociology are: social constructivism and social comparison. Social constructivism interprets happiness as a social construction, that is, happiness depends on shared, collective perceptions of life, which shape individual perceptions and evaluations (Veenhoven, 2014). Social comparison is one of the mechanisms underlying individual subjective well-being. The essence of assessing life satisfaction is to compare certain personal characteristics with the characteristics of others, namely, one’s reference group, the immediate environment (Olivos, 2020). As a result, young people can have common ideas, ideal images of happiness, which were formed under the influence of society and culture. Also to experience an increase or decrease in happiness, according to the social comparison of one’s life with the life of a reference group. The object of the master’s qualification work: the phenomenon of happiness in the sociological dimension Subject: factors of happiness in the conditions of a risk society The purpose of the work: determination of social factors of happiness in the conditions of a risk society. Results of the research: The results of theoretical and empirical research made it possible to achieve the goal and fulfill the tasks of the master’s qualification thesis. The specificity of the study of happiness in sociology and in the conditions of a risk society is determined. Current theoretical and empirical aspects of the study of factors of happiness in modern society are disclosed. In particular, it was found that the factors of happiness can be social, economic, cultural-educational, social-psychological, environmental, political-legal, etc. The thesis that social conditions also have a significant influence, especially now in a risk society, was confirmed, but this does not prevent people from feeling happiness. The 2022 World Happiness Report shows a bright light in dark times. The pandemic has brought not only pain and suffering, but also an increase in social support and goodwill. As we fight disease and war, it is important to remember the common desire for happiness and the ability of people to come together to support each other in times of great need. The results of the analysis and comparison of two studies for 2021 during the period of COVID-19 and 2022 during the war in Ukrainian society are presented. Therefore, young people interpret happiness under the same categories as last year, some gain more weight, for example, as "material situation", instead, "health" is slightly lower in priority. Most often, young people indicate that happiness is: satisfaction with life, close people (family, friends), the absence of problems, harmony, health, peace, and added peace this year. They followed the trend of increasing influence of external factors on the feeling of happiness (economy, security in the country, influence of circumstances). As the results showed, social comparison began to have a greater impact on the happiness of young people, in general, comparison became a more common practice for many than in 2021. We have discovered the most influential factor of unhappiness that corresponds to the realities of today - war. Also, at the same time, the happiness of young people has partially decreased in the current conditions. In general, the war affected various spheres in society as well as emotionally. The risks posed by war and the effects that are already manifesting affect young people every day, research has confirmed. The positive thing is that young people still feel happiness and try to find it every day in simple things. The feeling of happiness decreased with the advent of the war, and since the war continues, there is a risk that it may further affect the decrease in the feeling of happiness. The experience of young people who were affected by the war in any way is sad, for some psychological problems, loss of housing, contact with relatives, friends due to moving in connection with the war, etc. became relevant. Key words: happiness, factors of happiness, risk, risk society, war