Psychological characteristics of the dynamics of family values and motherhood across three generations of women

This article is devoted to identifying the factors that contribute to the preservation and strengthening of the family and family values, which may help improve the demographic situation in the country. Key values include the family itself, motherhood, and children. The erosion of these values leads to various socio-psychological problems, such as divorce, abortion, and infertility. Traditional religious institutions, which consistently advocate for traditional family values, currently play a significant role in addressing these issues. The article presents the results of an empirical study on the dynamics of family values and motherhood across three generations of women. The research was conducted from 2004 to 2024 at the Psychological Service of Astrakhan State University named after V.N. Tatishchev. The sample included 2 061 participants (867 women in each generational group: grandmothers, mothers, and daughters/granddaughters). Data on marriages, divorces, pregnancies, childbirths, and abortions, as well as levels of religiosity among the three generations, are presented. Differences among these indicators are analyzed. The findings highlight a generally positive trend in the dynamics of family values. However, it was found that the level of religiosity among most women is relatively low. Most either do not believe in God or believe but do not attend church or engage with family values through religious institutions. A statistically significant correlation was found between religiosity and key indicators: higher religiosity is positively associated with the preservation of the family and number of children, and negatively associated with family breakdown and pregnancy termination.