2 PRESENTATIONS OF THE
MAIN RESEARCH MATERIAL
Let's consider the main approaches to the analysis of
the «social tension» concept and the allocation of its
main indicators. O. Kredentser, V. Lagodzinska and
O. Kovalchuk indicate that in Russian sociology the
concept of social tension is considered within the
framework of the theory of social change and
acquires a subjective-activity character (Kredentser et
al., 2016). V.Rukavishnikov defines social tension as
a concept that characterizes a particular state of social
life, characterized by the exacerbation of internal
contradictions of an objective and subjective nature.
In this aspect, social tension signals a crisis in the
social system, a violation of the homeostasis of social
structures and social functions, on the one hand, and
reflects the spiritual and psychological state of
individuals and social groups, to a certain extent
affects the reproduction of everyday social practices
and motive-creating functions of social behavior and
interactions, on the other (Rukavishnikov, 1992).
According to O.Chernyavskoi, social tension is
inherent, first of all, in social systems that are in the
process of social changes and transformations, and
the main manifestation is a persistent feeling of social
dissatisfaction, as a result of the emergence and
development of social contradictions, affect the state
of public consciousness and behavior of social
subjects’ objects (Chernyavska, 2001).
Sociologists note that the consequences of social
tension are manifested at the socio-psychological and
behavioral levels. So, I.Buzovsky (Buzovsky, 2008)
says that historically the content of the social tension
concept was considered in connection with such
phenomena as social disintegration, a crisis of
solidarity, deviation (in a stable society), anomie (in
an unstable society), loss social identity, deprivation
and frustration, class struggle, interethnic clashes and,
finally, social crisis and social catastrophe. At the
same time, V. Rukavishnikov speaks about the
«socio-psychological piven of social tension»
(Rukavishnikov, 1992). Its empirical analogue, an
indicator is the state of public opinion and social well-
being of the population, which is expressed in
indicators of people's subjective assessment of their
social position, the level of satisfaction of socio-
economic and spiritual needs and interests, as well as
their attitude to certain social life aspects and is
characterized by the dissatisfaction mood with the
existing position of the right in vital spheres of public
life.
L.Orban-Lembrik points out that social tension
arises as a result of social maladjustment, which
covers such spheres and processes: 1) physiological
maladjustment of certain population segments to
difficulties; 2) psychophysiological maladjustment,
which is expressed in unconscious mass mental states
(fear, anxiety, aggressiveness, apathy) in the course
of adaptation to difficulties and social changes; 3)
socio-psychological maladjustment, which
reproduces the conscious conflict attitude of certain
population segments to difficulties and changes
(increased politicization, strikes, discontent,
migration, crime, pandemic, etc.) (Orban-Lembrick,
2003).
So, the social tension of the population as a social
quality of life, in our opinion, can be reflected in such
indicators as: 1) the dominant social fears in society;
2) features of population social well-being; 3) the
degree of social anomie in society, which can act as a
concretized subject of social work.
It should be noted the variety of factors of the
social tension growth in society, among which one
can single out: socio-economic (economic crisis, high
unemployment rate, low consumption capacity, high
tariffs, etc.), socio-political (failure of state power,
political and ideological contradictions, war, civil
conflicts and other factors), socio-cultural (change in
the value system, transformation of ideology,
globalization). Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is
such a factor in the social tension growth in society,
which in turn entails negative socio-economic, socio-
political and socio-psychological consequences.
Today, many studies have already appeared aimed
at determining the negative consequences of the
pandenmia and quarantine measures associated with
its overcoming. So, the significant pandemic impact
was in the socio-economic sphere. Thus, T.
Krushelnytska, O. Matveeva, V.Naumov, studying
the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19
pandemic in the context of the state policy of
implementing the global sustainable development
goal No. 5 «Gender Equality», identify five main
factors that negatively affect the socio-economic the
sphere and well-being of the population: 1) reduction
of trade operations and shutdown of certain economy
sectors; 2) decrease in demand for services; 3) global
interruption of value chains, primarily in production;
4) falling demand and falling prices for goods; 5)
increasing asymmetry between developed countries
and developing countries; an increase in the degree of
inequality in the distribution of income between rich
and poor people (Krushelnytska, et al., 2020). Indeed,
in Ukrainian society there is a decline in production,
a reduction in workers and an increase in
unemployment, a decrease in the share of small and