Youth Considers Education the Main Life Choice

Researchers from HSE University have conducted a study among graduate students to identify which life choice they consider the most important. All respondents linked their successes and failures to education. Decisions in other significant areas, such as relationships with loved ones or choosing a place to live, were often viewed through the lens of education. The study was published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology.

The research was carried out as part of the project ‘Life Choice and Decision-Making under Conditions of Uncertainty’ within the strategic project ‘Social Policy for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Economic Growth’ of HSE University's ‘Priority 2030’ programme.

Throughout life, people constantly face the necessity of making choices: which university to attend, where to live, work, whom to socialise with. Many factors—from personal to sociocultural—influence decision-making. Among such factors are a person's self-esteem level, the degree of independence from close ones in their judgments, family relationships, the number of options to choose from, and belonging to an individualistic or collectivist culture.

The largest number of vital decisions occurs during the so-called emerging adulthood stage. This is a special period of life identified by psychologists in the early 21st century due to increased life expectancy and slowed psychological development. Emerging adults are young people approximately aged 16 to 30, who leave their parental home, gain new experiences, and gradually transition to adult roles: starting a family, choosing a career path, and forming their social circle.

Scientists from the Centre for Modern Childhood Research at the HSE Institute of Education studied what choices young people consider the most important and how they evaluate them in the context of their life trajectory. The study involved 30 volunteers (average age—25 years) from various HSE master's programmes.

Respondents were asked to write two essays of 300–1000 words each, describing their most successful and most unsuccessful life decisions. Participants had to detail what exactly happened, where and when, who was with them, what emotions they felt at the time, and what they feel now. The unified essay structure enabled the researchers to conduct a qualitative thematic analysis and identify the most significant areas of life decisions.

It turned out that both successful and unsuccessful decisions were related to five life areas:

 Higher education;

 Learning and work;

 Romantic and friendly relationships;

 Relationships with relatives;

 Moving to another city.

For example, participants noted successful choices of university, educational programmes, and academic supervisors. These same decisions were described as life failures by other participants. Interestingly, many of the other important decisions mentioned, which impacted other areas, were still linked to education. For instance, students often ended romantic relationships, separated from family, or moved to another city due to educational goals. The study's authors emphasise that the identified life areas are characteristic of emerging adults.

Notably, such seemingly important topics as health, finances, or daily living were not reflected at all among the youth. Buying an apartment, changing jobs for a higher salary, or deciding to lead a healthy lifestyle were not reflected in the life trajectories of emerging adults. We assume this is primarily due to the age of the participants.

Oxana Mikhaylova
Co-author of the study, Research Fellow at the Centre for Modern Childhood Research, HSE Institute of Education

The study results are significant not only for understanding life choices in sociological and psychological research, but they can also be useful on a global scale. It would be beneficial for the state to know what people consider important in life and what they perceive positively or negatively. This information could help make decisions in the social sphere, allocate resources, and influence public opinion.

We continue to study choices at different life stages. The essay phase allowed us to identify priority decisions among the youth. We are now moving to the next stage—conducting interviews and large-scale quantitative surveys among diverse social groups with varying life experiences to better understand the features of the decision-making process in different areas.

Oxana Mikhaylova
Co-author of the study, Research Fellow at the Centre for Modern Childhood Research, HSE Institute of Education

IQ

June 17