Value-semantic and individual-psychological characteristics as risk factors of deviant behavior

<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Context and relevance. </strong>The growth of social tension is associated with various forms of behavioral deviations, including social aggression, which determines the need to identify risk groups for deviant behavior. When studying the influence of social crisis situations on the level of social tension and aggression, it is necessary to consider value-semantic regulators of behavior to determine the risk of mental maladjustment as a result of social stress disorders. <strong>Objective.</strong> To study value-semantic and individual psychological characteristics as risk factors for deviant behavior. <strong>Hypothesis.</strong> Value-semantic and individual psychological characteristics are significant risk factors influencing the formation of deviant behavior. <strong>Methods and materials.</strong> The study involved 1398 respondents (mean age: 40.3±14.97 years; 51.4% — women), whose value-semantic sphere was assessed at three levels: substantive-logical, conscious; verbalized, preconscious; emotional-figurative, unconscious. Self-control features, level of social frustration and indicators of aggression legitimization were also assessed. <strong>Results. </strong>It was revealed that individuals with a high risk of deviant behavior are distinguished at the conscious level by protest-self-affirming tendencies in self-realization. Their motivational guidelines are independence and achievement of personally significant goals. They weakly identify themselves with their compatriots, do not rely on traditions and have a narrowed time perspective, and strive to quickly achieve their goals without analyzing the consequences. Analysis at the verbalized, preconscious level showed that they are characterized by the priority of values associated with personal-protective tendencies. At the emotional-figurative, unconscious level, they are distinguished by the desire to belong to a group and the search for support in the context of collective values. The criterion that allows this group of people to build a subconscious connection between the Self and others is the desire for prosperity, egalitarian consumption, material well-being. <strong>Conclusions.</strong> The obtained data can be used for diagnostic purposes to identify markers of deviant behavior, psychological distress, and social maladjustment in individuals who represent a risk group for socially unapproved actions. The study substantiates the methodology for studying the value-semantic structure of self-awareness, motivators, and behavior patterns in social crisis situations.</p>