The importance of social trust for prediction of well-being of Lithuanians and Lithuanian emigrants

Abstract

It is known that person's well-being is related to various micro and macro social factors that can influence individual's decision to move or stay in his/her place of residence. General social trust and trust in social system might be important predictors of differences in well-being of emigrants and residents of the origin country. The aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of several social trust indicators for well-being of Lithuanians and Lithuanian emigrants. 1209 (20 % male) Lithuanians participated in the cross-sectional online survey. 52.2 % of them were Lithuanian emigrants, 47.8 % – were residents of Lithuania. Mental health continuum questionnaire was used for the evaluation of well-being; 12 questions based on European Social Survey were used to measure general social trust and trust in particular elements of the social system (e.g. trust in medical services, police). The results have shown that controlling various demographical variables Lithuanian emigrants have higher level of psychological, social and emotional well-being, as though as higher trust in various social institutions, but general trust in people is higher in the group of Lithuanian residents. Higher general well-being as though as higher psychological, social and emotional well-being of the participants is related to higher trust in social institutions, but not general trust in people, taking in control various demographical variables and the fact of emigration. Study confirms the importance of trust in various social institutions for the evaluation of well-being of the residents and highlights the importance of credibility of state agencies.