Migration Intentions of the Russians as a Tool for Psychological Protection

The article provides an analysis of migration intentions of the Russians over the past 100 years. The author discusses the features of the emigration waves, as well as the psychological characteristics of the formation and development of migration intentions of the Russians. Migration intentions are determined as a psychological protection (insulation) against frustrating social reality, on the one hand, and a way of self-identification, on the other hand. Indicating their intentions the personality increases the psychological distance towards the surrounding society. The specificity of migration intentions is always dependent on the social situation. This article describes current ideas about the formation and dynamics of migration readiness of the Russians referred to the results of the research (VTSIOM, Levada-center).