Age specificity of individual psychological characteristics and value orientations of Yunarmiya cadets

Introduction. The relevance of the study of value characteristics of adolescents is justified by the fact that it allows to understand the development trends of modern society. The purpose of the article is to study the age specificity of individual psychological characteristics and value characteristics. Materials and methods. 231 adolescents of the All-Russian children’s and youth military-patriotic public movement “Yunarmiya” were surveyed: aged 11–12 years, 13 years, 14–15 years, 16–17 years. The diagnostic complex included methods that study the meaningfulness of life, self-image and self-control features, as well as the author’s method that allows us to determine the basic and significant values of respondents. The method for identifying basic values was developed on the original technique based on V. G. Aseev. Results. Significant differences in the individual psychological characteristics of adolescents depending on age were revealed. Age specificity was determined for the variables “Preference for simple tasks”, ”Life process or interest and emotional richness of life”, “Confidence in life control” and its overall meaningfulness. Significant relationships were also identified between basic/significant values, anti-values and psychological indicators of young army cadets in each age group. Conclusion. The study allowed to conclude that moral principles are important for adolescents, and also demonstrated the desire of young people for autonomy, independence, social interaction and socially useful activities. The data obtained can be used to develop effective programs of social and psychological support and development for children and adolescents.