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Analysis of metamodels for verbal representation of clothing by women // Pedagogical Review. 2024. Issue 5 (57). P. 101-113

This article presents the results of a study aimed at identifying and analyzing significant categories of verbal representation of clothing provided by female respondents. The relevance of the study lies in exploring human identity through the adornment of appearance in accordance with their ideals of the ideal self. Contemporary research on the relationship between clothing and identity has focused more on social and cultural stereotypes than on the psychological aspects of clothing choice. The material of the article addresses this gap in psychology research. The study was conducted using the method of psychological questionnaires, with 36 women aged 24–55 years. The author examines elements of verbal representation of clothing as reflections of the process of self-identification in women. The analysis conducted contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship between speech, clothing, and identity. For practicing psychologists, the ability to analyze and interpret visual aspects of client appearance is an important skill that aids in the effective diagnosis of personal psychological issues. The main focus of the article is the analysis of speech metamodels used in describing clothing. The study reveals that, in addition to direct verbal messages, respondents unconsciously express their emotions and attitudes through speech constructs. The authors draw on symbolic interactionism, psychoanalytic, and neurolinguistic approaches for analysis. Three categories of clothing meanings were identified: utilitarian, social, and personal. Additionally, three metamodels were described and analyzed: denial, use of expressive language, and metaphorical expressions. Client case examples are provided for illustration. Clothing possesses universal communicative meanings. When analyzing descriptions of appearance, attention should be paid not only to the content of speech but also to its structure, as it carries additional semantic nuances and provides psychologists with the opportunity to analyze unconscious motives of individuals, thereby enhancing therapeutic dialogue possibilities. The research findings are useful for psychologists, non-medical psychotherapists, and art therapists, who can use projective clothing descriptions for diagnosing and identifying client behavioral patterns for subsequent correction. Additionally, the results may be important for researchers in the fields of clothing and identity, as well as for image consultants, designers, and stylists.

Keywords: clothing, identity, metamodels, speech, appearance, personal meaning, psychotherapy

Age Differences in Emotional Attitudes Toward Clothing // Pedagogical Review. 2025. Issue 5 (63). P. 164-178

The study aims to examine the semantic stimuli of clothing among women of different age groups through the lenses of social, utilitarian, and personal aspects; to confirm the universality of these meanings; and to identify age-related features in emotional responses to clothing. The relevance of this research lies in understanding the role of clothing in shaping female identity and emotional states across various stages of adult life, which is significant for psychological practice and therapy. The methodology involved a quantitative survey of 326 women aged 18 to 71 using a structured questionnaire designed to identify meanings attributed to clothing and emotional reactions toward it. The results were compared with data from a pilot study involving 36 participants. The study confirmed the universality of clothing meanings across the three aspects for women of all age groups. It was found that with age, women’s positive emotional responses to clothing increase while negative responses decrease, particularly in the personal domain. Special attention was given to the 40–49 age group, which exhibited a heightened focus on sexuality and self-expression through clothing, reflecting the midlife crisis. The practical significance of the research lies in applying these findings to psychological support for women, aiming to enhance self-esteem and harmonize emotional well-being through conscious attitudes toward clothing and its symbolism.

Keywords: clothing, identity, personal meaning, emotional response, age-related characteristics