Т. М. Dadaeva, N. P. Kasatkina, N. V. Shumkova. Societal Well-Being Perceptions and Social Justice Assessments among Russian University Students: the Nature of the Relationship in the Context of New Challenges

https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.033.202501.294-315
EDN: https://elibrary.ru/vohyii
УДК / UDC 316.4-057.875
Abstract

Introduction. The study of societal well-being perceptions and social justice assessments among Russian university students is necessitated by the impact of regional inequality (including quality of life) on youth life trajectories, potential risks of social tension, and insufficient research on the mediating mechanisms linking these constructs. The study aims to analyze components of societal well-being and the nature of their connection with conceptions of social justice among Russian students, along with regional characteristics of this interrelationship.

Materials and Methods. An online survey was conducted (October-November 2024; n = 1.209 full-time students) across four regions with differing quality of life: Moscow Oblast, Tatarstan, Mordovia, and Kalmykia. Societal well-being was measured through indices of social well-being, future expectations, social trust, and anxiety. Satisfaction with social justice was assessed on a 5-point scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, regression analysis, and the Sobel test were employed.

Results. The composite index of student societal well-being revealed polarization: 54 % of respondents were categorized as having “good”/“excellent” well-being, while 18 % reported “poor” well-being. Within the structure of societal well-being, positive assessments of current well-being predominated (84 %), whereas social trust demonstrated lower levels (44 %). A strong positive correlation was identified between subjective well-being and perceptions of social justice (ρ = 0.63; p < 0.001). The regression model (R² = 0.216; p < 0.001) confirmed the influence of social trust (β = 0.220), and the Sobel test verified its mediating role (accounting for 29.2 % of the effect). Regional differentiation in normative conceptions of justice was identified, correlating with the objective quality of life in the regions and the societal well-­being of students.

Discussion and Conclusion. The connection between societal well-being and justice perceptions is confirmed. The low level of societal well-being among 18 % of youth and regional differences highlight the need to address challenges in strengthening social trust, providing targeted support for vulnerable student groups, and accounting for territorial specificities. Longitudinal studies of the relationship between societal well-being and justice conceptions present a promising research direction.

Keywords: social well-being, social justice, student youth, social trust, current well-being, regional differences, Russia

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding. This research was funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, grant number FZRS-2024-0007, as part of the state research assignment of National Research Ogarev Mordovia State University.

For citation: Dadaeva T.M., Kasatkina N.P., Shumkova N.V. Societal Well-Being Perceptions and Social Justice Assessments among Russian University Students: : the Nature of the Relationship in the Context of New Challenges. Russian Journal of Regional Studies. 2025;33(2):294–315. https://doi.org/10.15507/2413-1407.129.033.202502.294-315

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About the authors:

Tatiana М. Dadaeva, Dr.Sci. (Sociol.), Associate Professor, Professor of the Chair of Sociology and Social Work, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9749-9244, Researcher ID: AAN-4148-2021, Scopus ID: 8591653500, SPIN-code: 5495-5343, dadaeva13@mail.ru

Natalya P. Kasatkina, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Leading Researcher at the Scientific Center for Socio-Economic Monitoring (39a B. Khmelnitskogo St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), Professor of the Chair of Sociology and Social Work, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Federation), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0940-2087, Researcher ID: LWI-8122-2024, Scopus ID: 57219127091, SPIN-code: 6034-1381, kasatkina-rri@mail.ru

Natalya V. Shumkova, Cand. Sci. (Sociol.), Associate Professor, Professor of the Chair of Socio­logy and Social Work, National Research Mordovia State University (68 Bolshevistskaya St., Saransk 430005, Russian Fede­ration), ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2330-0028, Researcher ID: AAM-1340-2020, Scopus ID: 57219130787, SPIN-code: 9796-2696, niiregion@mail.ru

Contribution of the authors:

T. M. Dadaeva – conceptualization; equal contribution to methodology development; coordination of data collection; editing and finalization of the text.

N. P. Kasatkina – equal contribution to methodology development; tools, formal analysis; data visualization; writing the original text.

N. V. Shumkova – equal contribution to methodology development; tools; formal data analysis; writing the original text.

Availability of data and materials. The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the authors on reasonable request.

The authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Submitted 13.12.2024; revised 15.05.2025; accepted 30.05.2025.