READINESS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY RELATIONS AS A PROBLEM IN CONTEMPORARY PSYCHOLOGY

Abstract

The article examines the issue of psychological readiness of student youth for marriage and family relations as a pressing matter of modern psychology. The author emphasizes that it is particularly important to recognize that the formation of a strong and harmonious marriage requires not only desire but also sufficient psychological preparedness, the ability to distribute responsibilities, and the performance of family roles. In the context of socio-economic transformations, globalization, and changes in moral and cultural norms, the problem of young people’s psychological readiness for family life becomes especially relevant. Theoretical analysis of scientific sources has made it possible to outline the essence of the concept of “psychological readiness for marriage” as a multi-component formation that includes cognitive, emotional, motivational, and behavioral aspects of personality. It is established that readiness for marriage is simultaneously a mental state, a process, and a result of activity that ensures the mobilization of internal resources, the integration of personal qualities, and the implementation of socially significant actions. It is generalized that psychological readiness for marriage is a dynamic phenomenon that comprises a cognitive component (knowledge and awareness of family roles), an emotional-evaluative component (the ability for empathy, self-regulation, and adequate perception of a partner), and a behavioral component (socio-psychological skills, adaptation to roles and responsibilities). At the same time, the results of the conducted empirical study confirmed the theoretical propositions and demonstrated that the level of psychological readiness of student youth is uneven: the cognitive and behavioral components were found to be sufficiently developed, whereas the emotional-value sphere requires targeted psychological and pedagogical support. This highlights the need for the implementation of psychological and pedagogical programs, counseling, and educational initiatives aimed at developing emotional maturity and fostering a responsible attitude toward marital and parental responsibilities. Thus, the article integrates the results of theoretical generalization and empirical research, contributes to the development of scientific understanding of the psychological readiness of student youth for marriage and family relations, and outlines directions for further scientific inquiry, in particular the study of structural components of readiness, the influence of social and informational environments on motivation for family life, as well as a comparative analysis of youth readiness across different forms of family relations.