Religiosity, religious identity and security in the Asian border regions of Russia in postsecular reality

<jats:p>Postsecular society developing under ethnic and confessional diversity is characterized by the coexistence and interpenetration of traditional religious practices, individualized forms of spirituality, and secular attitudes, which creates unique challenges and opportunities for ensuring spiritual security and social stability. The article examines the features of religiosity, religious identity and perceptions of security among the population of Russia’s Asian border regions (Altai Region, Altai Republic, Republic of Tuva) based on the sociological surveys conducted in 2024. The Centrality of Religiosity Scale and statistical modeling allowed the authors to identify the multilevel structure of religious consciousness and its influence on subjective assessments of personal and spiritual security and on social well-being. The results show that religiosity and religious identity are significant factors of spiritual security, but their impact depends on the regional ethno-confessional context. In regions with prevailing traditional religious practices, religious identity is closely linked to the sense of security, while in more secularized communities, spiritual security acquires a non-religious character. The analysis also revealed that the perception of spiritual security threats is largely determined by religious attitudes and the level of individual religious integration. The presented data broaden the understanding of religiosity as a complex social-psychological construct in postsecular society and highlight the need for further research of spiritual security mechanisms in multiethnic and multiconfessional border regions.</jats:p>