Personality Orientation and the Motivational-­Need Sphere as Personality Formations in the Temporal Context of an Experienced Crisis Event

Abstract

This article examines the pressing psychological problem of the transformation of the motivational-need sphere of personality under the influence of extreme and crisis experience. It is emphasized that, under conditions of global instability, a crisis event acts not only as a destructive factor but also as a powerful determinant that triggers a profound restructuring of the entire personality structure. The scientific novelty of the study lies in its examination of temporal distance as a key factor determining qualitative changes in the hierarchy of motives and needs as the distance from the epicenter of the crisis increases. The theoretical framework combines classical approaches in Russian psychology (S. L. Rubinstein, A. G. Asmolov, D. A. Leontiev) with contemporary international concepts, such as self-determination theory (R. Ryan) and the concept of post-traumatic growth (R. Tedeschi, L. Calhoun). The study involved 195 respondents (medical staff and students), assigned to four temporal groups according to the time elapsed since the crisis. The methods of V. E. Milman and of V. Smekal and M. Kuchera were used to assess motivational parameters. Analysis of the empirical data made it possible to identify four distinct clusters reflecting the staged transformation of the respondents’ orientation and motivational sphere. The first cluster (acute crisis) is characterized by pronounced self-orientation, a marked dominance of consumer motives (safety, comfort), and suppression of developmental activity. The second cluster (recently experienced crisis) retains pronounced self-orientation, with some reduction in regressive tendencies in the motivational profile. The third cluster (3–12 months) demonstrates a shift in vector toward interaction, with the need for communication and social support reaching its peak. The fourth cluster (more than one year) reflects a progressive transformation: task orientation becomes dominant, and motives for creative activity and social usefulness are activated, indicating successful integration of the traumatic experience. The practical significance of the study lies in the potential use of the findings to develop targeted programs of long-term psychological assistance. Understanding how psychological coping resources change over time will enable specialists to support individuals more effectively at different stages of post-crisis recovery.