Authors

• Social Insurance Institution of Finland
• University of Turku. Department of Social Policy

Keywords

health, housing, interpersonal relations, poverty, satisfaction, social security, social security benefits, social values, social welfare finance, unemployment, welfare, working conditions

Abstract

The survey charted Finnish perceptions of social security. Respondents were asked about the their own and spouse's/partner's job, length of the contract, employment sector, working hours, wages, the nature of their job, interest in job sharing and whether they or spouses/partners had been unemployed or laid off during the past three years. Interest in changing their economic activity (e.g. by taking a part-time job, retiring, founding an enterprise) was queried. Unemployed or laid off respondents were asked how long they had been out of work and how soon they expected to find a job. Further questions pertained to unemployment benefits, participation in job training and standard of living.

State of health was examined by asking whether respondents had chronic illnesses or health problems affecting their everyday life or ability to work. Chronically ill persons were asked whether they needed regular medical care, rehabilitation or prescription drugs. Experiences of burnout, insomnia or absent-mindedness were charted. Social relationships were studied by asking about close relationships and frequency of contacts. Respondents were asked whether there had been any major changes in their life recently and did they feel they could influence their own life, other people and social issues. One topic covered voting in the 1994 presidential elections, in the 1994 EU referendum and in the 1995 parliamentary elections.

The survey carried a set of attitudinal statements relating to e.g. social and health services, social security, public sector financing, means-tested social benefits, universal basic income (UBI, citizen's income), taxation and income disparity. The extent to which respondents felt able to control their life was surveyed by asking how often they felt uncertainty or indifference, felt their actions were meaningless or that their life was interesting. Confidence in their own ability to solve problems or co-operate with others was assessed. Values were charted by asking how important the following things are to the respondent: religion, religious values, political participation, health services, social services, work, nature, education opportunities, neighbourhood, consumer opportunities, culture, world peace, science and high standard of living.

One topic covered household income, expenses and social benefits received. Further questions covered various aspects of housing (tenure, size, satisfaction with neighbourhood, expenses). Respondents' satisfaction with and changes in their standard of living were charted. Opinions on the minimum level of income support were canvassed. Finally, respondents were asked whether they felt poor or debt-laden.

Background variables included respondents' sex, year of birth, marital status, household structure, basic and vocational education, respondents' and spouses' economic activity and occupation.