Factors of self-preservation and risky behavior of employable population in an industrial megalopolis

Socio-economic stability of any state is determined by the health of employable population, formed by an individual’s behavior, which can be aimed both at preserving health (self-preservation) and at its destruction (risky behavior).

Based on literature analysis, three groups of factors have been identified that determine an individual's behavior in the field of health: socio-biological, socio-economic, and socio-psychological. These factors gave grounds for developing a mathematical model of multifactorial causation of self-preservation and risky behavior pursued by employable population living in an industrial megacity. The empirical base was formed by data from a formalized survey conducted in 2025 among residents of Perm city (n = 582). The data were analyzed using the SPSS Statistics software. The model was built using the neural network procedure of the multilayer perceptron (MLP).

The study has found that health behavior of employable population living in Perm is characterized by a moderate risk profile. This is reflected in a moderate level of commitment to physical activity and medical practices, as well as relatively low manifestation of addictions. The factors identified in the study have a complex interrelationship. At the same time, there is a lack of an unambiguous link between health attitudes and actual implementation of consistent health-preserving behavior. Social support functions as a factor contributing to health preservation, but only with moderate intensity; its excessive manifestation can negate an individual's personal responsibility. In addition, influence of social connections has a bilateral effect: they can both provide support and contribute to formation of unhealthy behaviors through normative pressure. A high level of subjective security perception contributes to increased inclination for self-preservation behavior, while a decrease in this perception initiates the opposite process.

The study highlights complex mechanisms of interaction between factors and self-preservation behavior pointing out that practices aimed at preserving health do not always manifest themselves in a systematic and sustainable form. The results substantiate the necessity to conduct investigative search for additional components forming the structure of self-preservation behavior in addition to behavioral practices. Preventive approaches to reducing risky behavior among employable population should take into account specific factors, which determine this behavior in various social groups, and adapt to their specific needs.