Role of Local Identity and Perceived Context in Psychological Well-Being of Russians in Estonia

Abstract

The present article focuses on the relationship between local identity, perceived inclusiveness of the sociocultural context and psychological well-being of the Russians in Estonia (N = 309; M = 37,46; SD = 16,56). Perceived discrimination and perceived multiculturalism are considered as indicators of inclusiveness of the context, and self-esteem and life satisfaction as indicators of psychological well-being. We used the scales from the MIRIPS questionnaire translated and adapted for Russia by N.M. Lebedeva and A.N.Tatarko, the scale of descriptive multicultural attitudes developed in the Center for Sociocultural Research of the HSE University, and the local identity scale of Droseltis and Vignoles. The results of strutural equation modeling show that local identity significantly positively relates to perceived inclusiveness of the sociocultural context. Perceived inclusiveness of the context is positively related to self-esteem and life satisfaction. Indicators of perceived inclusiveness of the context mediate the relationship between local identity and psychological well-being. The study revealed direct positive effect of local identity on life satisfaction. Thus, local identity fulfills an adaptive function, contributing to a more positive perception of the context of acculturation and increasing psychological well-being.