Personality development in conditions of uncertainty: motivation for choosing the profession of psychologist at different age stages

Abstract

The article examines the relationship between self-development and choosing a profession as a psychologist in conditions of uncertainty. The subject of scientific research is the analysis of motives for choosing the profession of a psychologist at different age stages as a reflection of the processes of personal self–development, the purpose is to identify age-specific motivation and interpret professional choice as a strategy for coping with uncertainty. The research methodology is based on the integration of cultural-historical, existential, cognitive and humanistic approaches that consider uncertainty as a condition of being, and professional choice as a coping tool. At various stages of the work, structured interviews (open-ended question), content analysis, and Pearson's criterion 2 were used. The total empirical sample consisted of 208 people: students of the Faculty of Psychology aged 17-20 years (n=102) and trainees of professional retraining programs aged 27-49 years (n=106), Moscow. The results of the study revealed a two-level structure of motivation (internal and external motives). The dominant motive for choosing the profession of a psychologist in both groups is the "desire to help" (23.1% and 19.2%, respectively). Statistically significant age differences were found (χ2=23.53, p<0.01): for students aged 17-20, the choice of profession is associated with the search for identity and social approval, for students aged 27-49, with pragmatism and responding to life challenges. The results obtained can be applied to optimize educational programs for the training of psychologists, career guidance and prevention of professional burnout. The novelty of the study consists of: the revealed age-specific motivation for choosing a profession as a psychologist with mathematical and statistical justification and the interpretation of choosing a profession as a psychologist as a strategy for coping with uncertainty. The research materials allow us to conclude that choosing a profession as a psychologist is not a career decision, but a tool for gaining inner support through self-development, while internal motivation is a resource for personal stability in a turbulent environment.