The paper discusses the role of hardiness in organizations and the issues of its assessment. The results of a study aimed at development and validation of a short 24­item Russian version of the Hardiness Survey by D.A. Leontiev and E.I. Rasskazova are presented. Using a student sample data (N=1285), a subset from the set of 45 existing items were selected for the short version that was subsequently validated in a large process plant employee sample (N=4647). Using confirmatory factor analysis, a one­dimensional structure of the test was supported (with a single hardiness factor and two independent method factors corresponding to systematic bias associated with regular and reverse­scored items). The resulting shortened scale showed high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.91). Convergent validity was demonstrated by predictable associations with other measures of psychological well­being, including dispositional optimism, optimistic attributional style, hope, general self­efficacy, tolerance for ambiguity, subjective vitality, life satisfaction, work satisfaction, and intrinsic motivation in academic and professional domains. The resulting short version of the Hardiness Survey can be recommended for diverse samples.

This article discusses the effectiveness of using art therapeutic methods for facilitation of creative activity of older people as a condition of constructive development during late adulthood. Taking into consideration advantages and features of art therapy in gerontopsyhological practice art therapy program was developed. We hypothesized that inherent in the program, gradual complication and enriching of art therapy sessions should lead to creativity and the progressive development of the individual participants of these studies. 80 respondents aged 57—80 years took part in the study. Analysis of the results showed that the use of art therapy techniques noted actualization of new positive personal sense of life and activity, the harmonization of psychophysical wellbeing, improve self-image, and create conditions for the actualization of life experience.