Authors

• Eronen, Anne (Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health (STKL))
• Kinnunen, Petri (Finnish Federation for Social Welfare and Health (STKL))

Keywords

living conditions, neighbourhoods, public services, quality of life, regional development, social networks, social services, social support, social welfare, third sector, voluntary organizations

Abstract

The survey aimed at studying social welfare and opinions on welfare services in Central Finland. Respondents rated the importance of various persons/bodies (family, relatives, friends, neighbours, voluntary organizations, municipal or government officials, parishes or private service providers) in providing financial support, spiritual and emotional support, or providing help with domestic responsibilities or with child/elderly care. Satisfaction with a number of social, health and employment services and the services provided by KELA (Social Insurance Institution of Finland) were charted. Opinions on private health and social services (e.g. pharmacies, private medical services, home and child care services, services for substance misusers) were also studied.

Membership and participation in voluntary organizations (NGOs) were surveyed. Respondents rated the importance of the third sector for leisure activities, social security, employment, service production, peer group support, and opportunities to influence decisions. Respondents' financial and housing situation, health, employment situation, interpersonal relations, leisure opportunities, and power to control their own life were investigated.

Background variables included the respondent's sex, categorised age, housing tenure, duration of residence in the district, moving intentions, completed education, household size and composition, main economic activity of the respondent and spouse, and the economic and social situation of the municipality of residence.