Risk Readiness as an Adaptive Resource: Subjective Assessments of the Adult Population of Russia

Abstract

The article attempts to deepen scientific knowledge about the role of risk preparedness as an adaptive resource at different stages of the process of adaptation to uncertainty. Based on analysis of the scientific literature, the essence of risk readiness is shown as a rational choice of the method of interaction with uncertainty, based on the assessment of the situation by the adaptant, his own capabilities and the consequences of the decision made. The approach to measuring risk readiness through a subjective assessment of its sufficiency / lack / neutrality as an adaptive resource is substantiated. The theoretical basis is the position of the sociology of adaptations by L. V. Korel about the differentiation of adaptation resources according to their relationship with the speed and level of adaptation of the subject. An empirical interpretation of the speed of adaptation is proposed through the adaptive capacity and the level of adaptability, and the success / failure of adaptation through selfassessment of social well-being. The hypothesis of the relationship between the risk readiness of the adult population of Russia with the indicators of the speed and success of adaptation to the conditions of uncertainty caused by transformational processes in modern society is subjected to empirical testing on the basis of “RLMSHSE” data analysis. Socio-demographic factors differentiating respondents by subjective assessment of risk readiness, such as gender and age, are recorded. It has been established that a high subjective assessment of risk readiness associated with high assessments of adaptive capacity and adaptability level determines a high rate of adaptation. The relationship between the subjective assessment of risk readiness and the level of social well-being is shown. Risk readiness is justified as a specific adaptive resource that ensures the speed of the adaptation process and its result “at the exit” – the success or failure of adaptation to uncertainty conditions.

Keywords

• risk readiness
• uncertainty
• adaptive resources
• speed of adaptation
• social well-being