Disparities of social trust, subjective wellbeing and health status among 18–50 age-cohort in Lithuania

Abstract

Objectives The quality of life surveys nowadays use different indicators of subjective wellbeing of an individual alongside with objective indicators more often. At the individual level, the assessments of subjective wellbeing of an individual are often based on the indicators of the marital status, the state of health, social inclusion, life satisfaction, income and similar indicators (Glatz, Eder 2019). The research shows that indicators of subjective health and social trust are one of the most significant components of positive assessments of subjective wellbeing: healthier people are more productive, socially engaged, and often earn more. Meanwhile, another part of researchers reveal that trust as a social resource as well as emotional wellbeing can also be a significant factor for physical health (Kim, Kawachi 2002). The objective of this presentation is to reveal the interrelation of assessments of social trust, subjective health and subjective wellbeing among representatives of different generations in Lithuania. Materials and Methods The presentation is based on the national study Experiences of (In)Security across Generations in Lithuania: Motives and Opportunities to Choose Life Trajectories which was implemented in 2020. Rich empirical data was collected during it (N=3000) about the most active 18–50 age-cohort which was analysed by using different methods of statistical analysis. Results The data shows differences in assessments of social trust, subjective health and subjective wellbeing by representatives of different cohorts that are not limited only to the category of age, i.e. differences in assessments are also observed according to other socio-demographic factors such as gender, etc. Conclusions The differences in assessments can be based on structural factors (the Soviet period, transition, etc.) and experiences undergone during them, which contributed to formation or change of certain values. Assessments are also determined by certain choices made in different stages of a life course that contributed to formation of a certain approach to own life.