Sense of Security vs. Information-Related Risk Assessment in University Students

Intellectual risk assessment, sense of security, and information security risk assessment are personal resources that facilitate the adaptation of students to university environment. Intellectual risk correlates with a sense of security and information security assessment. The research involved 103 second- and third-year students (87 men, 16 women) of technology majors, Penza State University (18–20 y.o.; M = 19.09; SD = 0.90). The methods included a scientific review, a survey, testing, and correlation analysis (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient). The psychodiagnostic techniques included: 1) Subjective Intellectual Risk Scale by G. Craparo et al. (2018); adapted by T. V. Kornilova & E. M. Pavlova (2020); 2) Security Questionnaire by C. Zhong & A. Lijuan (2004); adapted by P. A. Kislyakov & E. A. Shmeleva (2023); 3) Student’s Assessment of Information Security Risks by N. N. Krylova (2024). The analysis revealed the following correlations: 1) significant positive and negative relationships between the sense of security, interpersonal security, and control confidence correlated with the scales of intellectual risk assessment; 2) emotional vulnerability demonstrated positive significant relationship with the general assessment of information security risk; self-efficacy in decision making demonstrated negative significant relationship with the assessment of reputation risk; 3) the general assessment of information security risks had positive significant connections with the assessment of information security risks in interpersonal interactions. The obtained results made it possible to make some psychological and pedagogical recommendations. They may facilitate in selecting the optimal strategy for university adaptation support.

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