Russian Village Household Panel Surveys, 1995-1997 (ICPSR 2816)

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The purpose of this three-wave panel study was to examine the relationship between existing social networks within several rural Russian communities and the ability of individuals within those communities to cope with and adapt to the numerous economic and social changes brought about by the collapse of the Soviet-era economy, as measured by individual gains in material resources, subjective quality of life, and mental health. The study focused on the ways in which an individual's social relationships enhance or hinder opportunities in a newly competitive economic environment. For the study, small business owners, including local farmers, were asked a series of questions about their businesses, including the source of their "start-up" capital, the identity of partners, if any, size of land holdings, credit arrangements, ownership of livestock, machinery, transportation, and consumer goods, and use of "contemporary inputs," i.e., modern farm methods, types of crops, crop yields, and prospective levels of production. Respondents were asked about changes in social services, including medical services, the quality of life in the village, including relations with others, attendance at local festivals, satisfaction with job, income, health, family, marriage, and village life, and the situation in the country at large. Respondents were also asked to provide self-evaluations of their emotional and psychological well-being, to identify any recent important or traumatic event, and to note any recent signs of depression. Other areas of inquiry included religious affiliation and practice, sources of news and information, past political repression of family members, and where respondents bought consumer goods. Finally, respondents were questioned in detail regarding their existing social relationships, including from whom they would borrow money, with whom they traded goods and services, to whom they would entrust the care and safety of their household, and whom they would ask to help with the harvest and with household tasks. Demographic variables include age, gender, marital status, nationality, education, occupation, household composition, household income, and familial history within the local community.

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These data are restricted from general dissemination. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete an Agreement for the Use of Confidential Data, specify the reasons for the request, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research. Apply for access to these data through the ICPSR Restricted Data Contract Portal, which can be accessed via the study home page.

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