LONELINESS AND SELF-DECEPTION OF PERSONALITY AS DETERMINANTS OF SURVIVING A LIFE CRISIS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the study of loneliness and self-deception in personality as determinants of experiencing a life crisis. It examines various profiles of crisis experience among respondents, their psychological characteristics, and the interrelations between emotional imbalance, pessimism, negative emotions, demobilization, oppositional reactions, negative self-image, and self-deception. The main findings indicate that respondents with high levels of emotional imbalance, pessimism, negative event evaluation, demobilization, oppositional reactions, and disorganization are more likely to engage in self-deception. Self-deception serves as a mechanism to reduce stress, avoid painful truths, and maintain an illusion of control. However, in the long term, self-deception can lead to deteriorating mental health and complicate the process of overcoming life crises. It has been analyzed that individuals who frequently experience negative emotions tend to have a negative self-perception and experience increased levels of loneliness. Negative emotions can reduce motivation for social interaction, leading to isolation. It has been proven that subjects with high levels of emotional imbalance, pessimism, negative appraisal of events, demobilization, oppositional reactions, and disorganization are more likely to resort to self-deception. Self-deception helps reduce stress, avoid painful truths, and maintain the illusion of control. Individuals with a negative self-image, high levels of loneliness, and various types of loneliness are also more likely to resort to self-deception. The obtained data highlight the importance of developing support programs to improve psychological well-being and social integration. These findings can inform the planning and implementation of psychocorrectional programs aimed at assisting individuals in coping with crisis situations.