Civic Identity as a Factor of Prosocial Behaviour among Russian Youth

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Recieved: 07/18/2025

Accepted: 02/26/2026

Published: 03/13/2026

Keywords: social psychology; civic prosocial behaviour; identity; social identity; civic identity; prosocial behaviour; Russian youth

Pages: 97–108

DOI: 10.11621/npj.2026.0207

Available online: 13.03.2026

To cite this article:

Liapina, T.E., Gurieva, S.D., Maltseva, A.V., Shilkina, N.E. (2026). Civic Identity as a Factor of Prosocial Behaviour among Russian Youth. National Psychological Journal, 21(2) , 97–108. https://doi.org/10.11621/npj.2026.0207

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Liapina, T.E. Saint-Petersburg State University

Gurieva, S.D. Saint-Petersburg State University

Maltseva, A.V. Saint-Petersburg State University

Shilkina, N.E. Saint-Petersburg State University

Abstract

Background. Civic identity is increasingly viewed as a key psychological resource, determining young people’s willingness to engage in socially significant projects and assume responsibility. In a context of institutional turbulence, it is important to understand the extent to which a sense of belonging to civil society is linked to prosocial behaviour. Prosocial behaviour is one of the most important components of social well-being. It helps to strengthen social ties, to increase life satisfaction, and group cohesion. Furthermore, it is known that people prefer to help those with whom they identify themselves, demonstrating the importance of social identity in this regard. Given the multinational and multi-religious composition of the Russian Federation’s population, factors associated with the positive development of social relations, increased loyalty, and mutual support among citizens are of particular interest. Therefore, it is important to explore the relationship between Russian civic identity and prosocial behavior. The theoretical relevance of the study lies in clarifying the mechanisms of the connection between civic identity and altruism, solidarity and civic activity of young people, as well as in developing the concepts of social identity and prosociality in relation to the Russian cultural and historical context.

Objectives. The goal is to study the relationship between Russian civic identity and forms of prosocial behaviour of young people in order to establish the possibility of further application of the identified patterns.

Study Participants. The total sample consisted of 355 people (N = 355), aged 18 to 35 years (M = 22.78, SD = 3.65), of which 298 were women (83.94%), 57 were men (16.06%). All respondents lived in Russia and had the citizenship of the Russian Federation.

Methods. The study was carried out on the basis of a survey design using the following methods: “Measuring Prosocial Tendencies” (G. Carlo and B.A. Randall), adapted by N.V. Kukhtova; “Identification with All Humanity” (IWAH) by S. McFarland, adapted by T.A. Nestik, questionnaire of socio-demographic characteristics. To process quantitative data, the following coefficients are used: α-Kronbach and ω-McDonald coefficients, structural equation modeling methodology (SEM), in particular, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Results. As a result, a CFA model was built that confirmed the hypothesis of a connection between civic identity and forms of prosocial behaviour of Russian youth. Statistically significant associations of moderate effect size were found between civic identity and compliant, emergency, altruistic, and anonymous prosocial behaviour.

Conclusions. Civic identity is indeed a factor in the prosocial behaviour of Russian youth and can be used to strengthen relevant socially significant trends. Conformal, emergency, altruistic, and anonymous forms of prosocial behaviour appear to be the most promising, suggesting their potential enhancement through the activation of a shared civic identity among Russian citizens. The identified associations may reflect the high salience of group norms in the consciousness of Russian youth, as well as age-related characteristics, including an increasing awareness of social responsibility.

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To cite this article:

Liapina, T.E., Gurieva, S.D., Maltseva, A.V., Shilkina, N.E.. Civic Identity as a Factor of Prosocial Behaviour among Russian Youth. // National Psychological Journal 2026. 2. Pages97–108. doi: 10.11621/npj.2026.0207

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