The role of social institutions in developing self-preservation behavior among the population

Abstract

This article analyzes the population’s self-preservation behavior based on the example of residents of Russia’s Central Federal District. It is shown that self-preservation is a critical component when it comes to defining a country’s demographical configuration and social development forecast model. Self-preservation and its effects turn out to be a response to consequences of social policy and the overall dynamics of life quality indexes, while shaping generational varieties of chronotopes. Self-preservation trajectories and strategies evolve as a result of socialization assisted by primary social institutions. This article presents the results of studying the population’s self-preservation behavior models and the institutional factors which affect their development, while emphasizing the role of social institutions in shaping the people’s attitudes in regards to their own health. The influence of primary social institutions such as family and marriage, economic and political institutions, external socialization and the healthcare system on a person’s self-preservation attitudes is subject to analysis. Institutional influence is evaluated from a health condition and total life expectancy standpoint, while examining the effect institutions have on establishing self-preservation habitus and strategies, the significance of institutional barriers and the stressful impact that institutions have on the population. The empirical models used were based on studies conducted by the International Sociological Research Center at the Belgorod State National Research University in the Central Federal District in 2019. The results of those studies allowed for defining the role of social institutions within each index of the “importance model”. It was found that institutional impact plays a minimal role in terms of the people’s health status and solutions for modifying their attitudes towards the matter, while total life expectancy is determined primarily by economic institutions. Self-preservation behavior habitus is shaped through the institution of family and marriage. The study revealed a negative influence on self-preservation behavior through the institutional barriers of external socialization institutions. The healthcare system bore the greatest stress potential. The study can be concluded by saying that the population of the Central Federal District is prepared to assume personal responsibility for their health, and by pointing out a lack of any substantial dependence on institutions: when it comes to the people’s evaluation of their own self-preservation strategies, the role of an individual not bound by institutions, together with the institution of family and marriage, dominates in terms of the intrinsic impact of the roles of all social subjects.