The Transformation of Aging in Poland and Lithuania.

The economic and political transition experienced throughout eastern and central Europe in the latter 1980s and early 1990s has had a significant impact on the populations of the affected nations. Utilizing the World Values Survey, this research examines elderly responses to changing levels of confidence in a number of social institutions as well as attitudes toward the evolving political system and increased privatization within the economic structure of society in Lithuania and Poland. Elderly confidence in the military, churches, the press, and labor unions varied over time and by country. Older Poles were the most confident in the military and police while elderly Lithuanians expressed the most confidence in churches, the press and labor unions. Compared to younger respondents, the elderly in both countries expressed increased dissatisfaction with the impact of economic privatization. Implications of these findings are discussed within the context of their location and their meaning for aging populations in the countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]