Peer-reviewed article
The Worldview Attitudes and Self-Determination in Russian Students who are Different Passion Degree of Tolkien Fans
Zakrevskaya D, Sadovnikova T ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This peer-reviewed study examined worldview attitudes and self-determination in 121 Russian university students aged 17-28, comparing those with different levels of interest in Tolkien fantasy literature. The researchers used psychological scales to measure escapism tendencies, world assumptions, and life purpose. The study found that dedicated Tolkien fans showed higher escapism, more pessimistic worldviews, and lower ratings of life satisfaction compared to casual fans or those indifferent to the genre.
Key points
- Tolkien fans showed the highest tendency toward escapism compared to amateurs and those indifferent to fantasy
- Fans held more pessimistic views of the world while maintaining a more positive self-image than other groups
- Fans rated their lives as less emotionally rich and productive than peers in other groups
- All respondents generally viewed the world as moderately benevolent and fair, and themselves as good people with life control
- The authors suggest escapism levels in fantasy fans could be monitored in psychological work with at-risk youth
Limitations
The study is cross-sectional with no intervention or longitudinal follow-up, so it cannot establish causality or determine whether fantasy interest leads to escapism or vice versa. The sample is limited to Russian university students and may not represent broader populations or age groups.
Abstract
Introduction Self-determination is the developmental task (R. Havighurst) in youth leading to personality psychological well-being and health. Objectives The aim was to study the worldview attitudes in Russian youth who are Tolkien fans. Methods The techniques were completed by 121 students; 17-28 age (M = 21.7; M/F= 35.5 / 64.5 %); 81 (66.9%) subscribers of the Vkontakte communities dedicated to the work of J.R.R. Tolkien. 1. Incomplete Sentences by Sacks-Levy in authors’ version 2. World assumptions scale (R. Janoff-Bulman) (Padun, Kotelnikova, 2007) 3. Purpose-in-Life Test (J. Crumbaugh, L. Maholick) (Leontiev, 2000) 4. The Level of Escapism (Teslavskaya, Savchenko, 2019). Results Three groups of respondents differing in their attitude to the literary genre of fantasy («fans», «amateurs», «indifferent») were identified. Respondents consider the world to be moderately benevolent, and fair, and themselves quite good people, able to control most of the events taking place in their lives. They are sure that they are often lucky in life. «Fans» have the highest tendency to escapism, the most pessimistic view of the world, with a more positive image of the person compared to other respondents. «Fans» consider their lives less emotionally rich and productive, compared to the assessment of their lives by peers of other groups. Conclusions The level of escapism expression in fantasy literature fans are higher than in respondents who do not distinguish this genre as preferred. A new theoretical and empirical work is that worldviews can be monitored and taken into account in practical psychological working with at-risk young people. Disclosure No significant relationships.