Autonomy-supportive Political Climate and Attitudes to the Political System in Russia: How Does Self-Determination Theory Help in Understanding Political Processes

Self-determination theory posits that individuals express more positive attitudes toward those who create an autonomy-supportive climate than toward those who create a controlling climate. Some studies conducted in democratic political regimes have shown that political efficacy, as an indicator of perceived autonomous climate, is positively associated with attitudes towards the political system. However, the question arises: to what extent does the positive relationship between political efficacy and attitudes toward the political system persist in countries with authoritarian political systems, as well as among individuals with different socio-demographic and psychological characteristics?