Theoretical and Methodological Model of Downshifting as an Alternative Resource of Self-Realization of a Successful Person in Dimensions of Social Transformations

Keywords: self-realization, meaning of life, success, psychological well-being, career, value orientations, identity

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to build a theoretical and methodological model, analyse, systematize and generalize the phenomenon of downshifting as an alternative resource of a person’s self-realization in the conditions of modern society. Methods. The methodology of the research consists of the interpretation of downshifting as a re-achievement of success in changed situations, taking into account a greater number of important conditions and factors. Results. It is stated that the attitude towards downshifters is ambiguous and causes many discussions, but it is important to understand that a person who dared to change their lifestyle may feel happy and self-fulfilled. It means success for this person. It was found that the difficult periods experienced by the modern generation, permanent reforms, the COVID-19 pandemic, then the war on the territory of Ukraine, and the unstable economic and political situation are the testing for social and moral values and a unique opportunity to rethink existence for the sake of positive changes in the future. A theoretical and methodological model of downshifting, which consists of such components as definitions; drives; approaches; forms; the types of people who choose to downshift and the unifying component of the model is operationalization has been built. All components have structural elements that reveal their main content parameters. Modern studies of the outlined problem are analyzed. Attention is focused on such a form of downshifting as an authentic Ukrainian variant. Representatives of the new movement – freegans – have been identified among the types of downshifters. It has been stated and proven that downshifting is a resource for the self-realization of a successful person, one of the options for getting out of a difficult life situation. Discussion and conclusions. It is summarized that the results of the research have significant scientific facts in the dimensions of a person’s self-realization, revealing their potential, and the success of a person in the dimensions of social transformations.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Aidar, L., & Daniels, P. (2020). A critical review of voluntary simplicity: Definitional inconsistencies, movement identity and direction for future research. The Social Science Journal, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1080/03623319.2020.1791785
Aleksandrova, M. (2018). Daunshyftynh yak poshuk “srodnosti” v suchasnomu sotsiokul’turnomu prostori Ukrayiny [Downshifting as a search for “kinship” in the modern socio-cultural space of Ukraine]. Kul’tura Ukrayiny – Culture of Ukraine, 62, 1141–149. https://doi.org/10.31516/2410-5325.062.15
Balsa-Budai, N., Kiss, M., Kovács, B., & Szakály, Z. (2019). Attitudes of Voluntary Simplifier University Students in Hungary. Sustainability, 11(6), 1802. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11061802
Blynova, O., Derevianko, S., Ivanova, O., Popovych, I., & Estay Sepulveda, J. G. (2022). Professional relevance of potential labor emigrants. Revista Notas Históricas y Geográficas, 29, 88–106. https://www.revistanotashistoricasygeograficas.cl/index.php/nhyg/article/view/435
Bocheliuk, V. Y., Zavatska, N. Y., Bokhonkova, Y. O., Toba, M. V., & Panov, N. S. (2020). Emotional Burnout: Prevalence Rate and Symptoms in Different Socio-Professional Group Journal of Intellectual Disability – Diagnosis and Treatment, 1, 33–40 https://doi.org/10.6000/2292-2598.2020.08.01.5
Breathnach, S. Ban trends; Living in a lower gear: downshifting. Redefining success in the ‘90s. Washington
Post. 1991. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/12/31/trends/2f4eb6e9-361f-43bd-8521-7d11200516ed/
Cambridge Dictionary of American English (CDAE). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2006. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/
Cherrier, H. (2002). Drifting away from the consumption spiral: Trait aspects of voluntary simplicity. AP-Asia Pacific Advances in Consumer Research, 5, 280–281. https://www.acrwebsite.org/volumes/11815/volumes/ap05/AP-05/full
Eimermann, M., Lindgren, U., & Lundmark, L. (2021). Nuancing Holistic Simplicity in Sweden: A Statistical Exploration of Consumption, Age and Gender. Sustainability, 13(15), 8340. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158340
Elgin, D. (1993). Voluntary Simplicity: Toward a Way of Life That Is Outwardly Simple, Inwardly Rich; Quill (William Morrow and Company): New York:USA. https://dokumen.tips/documents/voluntary-simplicity-toward-a-way-of-life-that-is-outwardly-simple-inwardly.html
Etzioni, A. (1998). Introduction: Civic Repentance. American Behavioral Scientist, 41(6), 764–767. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0002764298041006002
Halian, A., Halian, I., Popovych, I., Zavatskyi, Y., Semenov, O., & Semenova, N. (2021). Stress Resistance in the Situation of Uncertainty as a Factor of Development of Adaptive Ability of Medical Personnel. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 12(1), 251–264. https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/12.1/181
Hamilton, C., & Breakspear, C. (2004). Getting a life: understanding the downshifting phenomenon in Australia. Discussion Paper, 62. https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/getting-a-life-understanding-the-downshifting-phenomenon-in-australia/Hamilton, C., & Mail, E. (2003). Downshifting in Australia. A sea-change in the pursuit of happiness. The Australia Institute Discussion Paper, 50. https://australiainstitute.org.au/report/downshifting-inaustralia-a-sea-change-in-the-pursuit-of-happiness/
Kennedy, E. H., Krahn, H., & Krogman, N. T. (2013). Downshifting: An Exploration of Motivations, Quality of Life, and Environmental Practices. Sociological Forum, 28(4), 764–783. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43653917
Klaver, J. S., & Lambrechts, W. (2021). The Pandemic of Productivity: A Narrative Inquiry into the Value of Leisure Time. Sustainability, 13, 6271. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116271
Kozmenko, O., Popovych, I., Arbeláez-Campillo, D. F., Rojas-Bahamón, M. J., & Volchenko, L. (2022). Structural and functional model of the successful person training in USA colleges and universities. Amazonia Investiga, 11(55), 143–155. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2022.55.07.15
Lindsay, J., Lane, R., & Humphery, K. (2020). Everyday life after downshifting: Consumption, thrift, and inequality. Geographical Research, 3, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-5871.12396
Maksymenko, A., & Teslyuk, R. (2015). Daunshyftynh yak mihratsiyne yavyshche: ukrayins’kyy kontekst [Downshifting as a migration phenomenon: the Ukrainian context]. Psykholohiya i suspil’stvo – Psychology and society, 2, 102–106. http://dspace.wunu.edu.ua/bitstream/316497/3074/1/%d0%9c%d0%b0%d0%ba%d1%81%d0%b8%d0%bc% d 0%b 5%d 0 % b d%d 0%b a % d 0%b e % 2 0 %d0%90..pdf [In Ukrainian].
Nelson, M. R., Rademacher, M. A., & Paek, H-J. (2007). Downshifting Consumer = Upshifting Citizen? An Examination of a Local Freecycle Community. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 611(1), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002716206298727
Nuga, M., Eimermann, M., & Hedberg, Ch. (2023). Downshifting towards voluntary simplicity: the process of reappraising the local. Geografiska Annaler: Series B, Human Geography. https://doi.org/10.1080/04353684.2023.2211600
Osikominu, J., & Bocken, N. (2020). A Voluntary Simplicity Lifestyle: Values, Adoption, Practices and Effects. Sustainability, 12(5), 1903. MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12051903
Plokhikh, V., Popovych, I., Zavatska, N., Losiyevska, O., Zinchenko, S., Nosov, P., & Aleksieieva M. (2021). Time Synthesis in Organization of Sensorimotor Action. BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience, 12(4), 164–188. https://doi.org/10.18662/brain/12.4/243
Popovych, I., Borysiuk, A., Semenov, O., Semenova, N., Serbin, I., & Reznikova, O. (2022а). Comparative analysis of the mental state of athletes for risk-taking in team sports. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(4), 848–857. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2022.04107
Popovych, I., Halian, I., Lialiuk, G., Chopyk, R., Karpenko, Ye., & Melnyk, Yu. (2022b). Research of young female handball players’ self-actualizing mental states. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(7), 1599–1607. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2022.07201
Popovych, I., Hoi, N., Koval, I., Vorobel, M., Semenov, O., Semenova, N., & Hrys, A. (2022c). Strengthening of student youth’s mental health using play sports. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(6), 1384–1395. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2022.06174
Popovych, I., Kurova, A., Koval, I., Kazibekova, V., Maksymov, M., & Huzar, V. (2022d). Interdependence of emotionality, anxiety, aggressiveness and subjective control in handball referees before the beginning of a game: a comparative analysis. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 22(3), 680–689. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2022.03085
Prokhorenko, L., Popovych, I., Sokolova, H., Chumaieva, Yu., Kosenko, Yu., Razumovska, T., & Zasenko V. (2023). Gender differentiation of self-regulating mental states of athletes with disabilities: comparative analysis. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 23(2), 349–359. https://doi.org/10.7752/jpes.2023.02042
Ryff, C. D. (2018). Well-being with soul: Science in pursuit of human potential. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 13(2), 242–248. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29592644/
Saltzman, A. (1991). Downshifting: Reinventing Success on a Slower Track. New York: Harper Collins. https://catalog.library.vanderbilt.edu/discovery/fulldisplay/alma991011190459703276/01VAN_INST:vanui
Shi, D. E. (1985). The simple life: plain living and high thinking in American culture. New York: Oxford. https://nationalhumanitiescenter.org/fellows-book/the-simple-life-plain-living-and-highthinking-in-american-culture/
Walther, C. S., Sandlin J. A., & Wuensch K. (2016). Voluntary Simplifiers, Spirituality, and Happiness. Humanity & Society, 40(1), 22–42. https://doi.org/10.1177/0160597614565698
Zaritska, N. Yu. (2014). Daunshyftinh: ukrayins’kyy variant [Downshifting: the Ukrainian version]. Aktual’ni problemy sotsiolohiyi, psykholohiyi, pedahohiky – Actual problems of sociology, psychology, pedagogy, 15, 59–66. https://www.soc.univ.kiev.ua/sites/default/files/library/elopen/actprob15_59.pdf
Published
2023-11-03
Pages
251-273
How to Cite
Kozmenko O., Mykhailiuk V., & Chernetska-Biletska N. (2023). Theoretical and Methodological Model of Downshifting as an Alternative Resource of Self-Realization of a Successful Person in Dimensions of Social Transformations. Insight: The Psychological Dimensions of Society, (10), 251-273. https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2023-10-13
Section
SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY, PSYCHOLOGY OF SOCIAL WORK