Interpersonal Trust in Russian Society

Abstract

This article examines the current state of interpersonal trust between Russians (“close circle” of relatives, friends, acquaintances, and the majority of people). The continuing high level of trust between loved ones can be explained by the significance of these singular relationships and shared experiences adapting to changing economic and political conditions. However, the low prevalence of generalized trust is evidence that people have negative expectations in relation to their fellow citizens. At the same time, there is a connection between trust and socio-demographic characteristics and the social well-being of Russians. The greater is the variety of resources that people have (income, education, residence in a large city), the more they trust their acquaintances and the less they trust the majority of people. Satisfaction with one’s own life and the situation in the country reinforces the latter. Overall, this upward trend in trust in various parties over the past 15 years shows that social relationships are gradually stabilizing and that the population is adapting to new life and work conditions.