The Importance of Work-Related Social Ties in Post-Soviet Russia: The Role of Co-workers in the Personal Support Networks in St. Petersburg and Helsinki

This study considers the extent to which work-related social ties function as a source of social support in Russian workers‟ personal networks. The topic is important since, in the case of unemployment or retirement, personal networks are central for the well-being and coping of Russians. In order to illustrate the nature of the Russian case, an explicit comparison between Russian and Finnish workers‟ personal networks is carried out. The results are in line with previous findings concerning the workplace as a source of social support in China.