Proceedings of the International scientific and practical conference ―Science at the Frontier of Progress‖ (June 8-10, 2026) / Publisher website: www.naukainfo.com. – Paris, France, 2026. - 178 p.

100 V. Makarchuk [5] considers national identity as the result of the active activity of the individual, in the process of which the interpretation and comprehension of national values and cultural symbols take place. In this approach, identity appears not as a static formation, but as a dynamic process of self-determination, which is formed through personal experience, educational activity and social interaction. Summarizing the above approaches, it can be argued that in modern scientific discourse, national identity is interpreted as a dynamic, multi-level process that is formed in the interaction of the individual with the social environment and involves the integration of cognitive, emotional-value and behavioral characteristics. In modern scientific discourse, the essence of national identity is considered as one of the key characteristics of an individual, which determines his social position, value orientations and model of interaction with society. This phenomenon has a complex, multidimensional nature and is formed at the intersection of psychological, social, cultural and historical factors. National identity is not reduced only to the formal awareness of belonging to a certain state or ethnic group, but acts as an internally accepted system of meanings, values and norms that determine the attitude of an individual to himself, to others and to the national community as a whole. The essence of national identity lies in the deep awareness of a person’s belonging to a national community, the acceptance of its values, norms, cultural and historical heritage, as well as the willingness to act in accordance with them. It is not only the result of socialization, but also an active process of self- determination, which ensures the integration of the individual into the social space. The above definition emphasizes that national identity is not formed passively, but in the process of active interaction of the individual with the social environment. It involves not only the assimilation of certain knowledge or norms, but also their internal acceptance, rethinking and inclusion in the structure of personal experience. In this context, national identity appears as a result of the internalization of cultural and social meanings that determine the way of thinking, behavior and worldview of a person. At the same time, the essence of this phenomenon cannot be fully revealed without taking into account its content characteristics, which determine the basic features of the national community and the mechanisms of its reproduction. O. Sablukova indicated that «the main features of national identity are: historical territory, common myths, historical memory, common culture, common rights and obligations for all members of the community, common economy» [6]. The above characteristics allow us to consider national identity as a holistic formation that combines both objective elements (territorial affiliation, cultural and economic ties) and subjective ones (awareness, experiences, value attitudes). It is the interaction of these components that ensures the stability of national identity and its ability to reproduce in generations. It is important to emphasize that without internal acceptance of these characteristics, they remain only external signs, not turning into personally significant meanings. Further disclosure of the essence of national identity is associated with its analysis as a complex socio- personal phenomenon that integrates various dimensions of personal development. As V. Demchenko notes [7], national identity is a complex socio-personal phenomenon that reflects the individual’s awareness of his belonging to a certain national community, its culture, values and traditions, and also includes the formation of a national «self-image» and the ability to self-identify within the cultural space. The researcher emphasizes that this phenomenon combines different dimensions – cognitive, emotional, value and activity, which ensures the integrity of personal development. At the same time, it is emphasized that the formed national-cultural identity is the basis of the spiritual security of the individual and an important factor in the stability of society. In this approach, the idea of the multidimensionality of national identity deserves special attention. It is not limited to knowledge or a sense of belonging, but encompasses a holistic system of personal characteristics that determine a person's ability to self-determination, social interaction and active participation in the life of society. The formation of a national «self-image» is a key element of this process, since it is through it that a person integrates national meanings and values into his consciousness. It is also important to emphasize that in modern scientific discourse, national identity is considered as a dynamic process that is constantly developing and changing under the influence of social, cultural and political factors. It is not a once-and-for-all characteristic, but requires constant maintenance, comprehension and updating in the face of new social challenges. In this context, the individual's ability to think critically, reflect and make a conscious choice of value orientations becomes especially important. The essence of national identity is revealed through its integrative nature, which combines the inner world of the individual with his social belonging and determines his life position. It is not only the result of