Research methodology and phenomenology of personality crises: a sociological approach

Abstract

The article inquires the question of the passing of personality crises in the conditions of modern society, characterized by the loss of traditional values, the rejection of unified development scenarios, the lack of clear criteria for choosing life goals. The authors analyze midlife crises of men from the standpoint of gender, values, meanings, resources, historical events.
To immerse themselves in the life world of the informants, the authors used the method of biographical interview, which in the practice of sociological research defined as qualitative method. The authors focused on in-depth consideration of the crises of individuals, their understanding, and interpretation. An important
characteristic of the method is the opportunity for informants to understand and structure their own lives.
In addition, there was used the results of psychodiagnostic research to supplement the phenomenal side of personality crises with «hard» data.