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Behavioral–epidemiological coevolution: An evolutionary game-theoretic framework for pandemic dynamics

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  • Belhaiza, Slim

Abstract

This paper develops an evolutionary game-theoretic framework for epidemic dynamics that couples payoff-driven behavioral adaptation with disease transmission in an SVEIR compartmental model. The framework integrates imitation-based behavioral dynamics — governing vaccination and contact decisions — into the epidemiological process through endogenous feedback on transmission and vaccination rates. We derive the unified continuous-time system, prove equilibrium existence and stability results, and identify the critical threshold of the effective reproduction number R0eff. Mathematically, the system forms a coupled behavioral–epidemiological dynamical structure admitting bounded contraction under small-gain conditions. These theoretical properties are validated through discrete-time Monte Carlo simulations based on a forward-Euler finite-difference scheme preserving positivity and mass on the epidemiological simplex.

Suggested Citation

  • Belhaiza, Slim, 2026. "Behavioral–epidemiological coevolution: An evolutionary game-theoretic framework for pandemic dynamics," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:chsofr:v:203:y:2026:i:c:s0960077925016753
    DOI: 10.1016/j.chaos.2025.117662
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    References listed on IDEAS

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