Young People and Sudden Post-socialist Changes in Estonia at the Beginning of the 1990s: Experiences Conducting Longitudinal Research

This chapter delves into the intricate interplay between macro-level structural transformations and individual life trajectories, utilising the unique perspective of the ‘generation of winners,’ who came of age during the tumultuous early 1990s in post-socialist Estonia. Through the utilization of a mixed-method longitudinal study titled ‘Life Paths of a Generation (PG),’ we explore the lasting impact of the radical societal changes that created both opportunities and uncertainties, unevenly distributed among different demographic groups. The study draws on survey data from the 1990s, complemented by in-depth interviews conducted in 2003/2004 and 2020/2021, offering a comprehensive understanding of the experiences and adaptations of young adults during this transformative period. The analysis reveals how personal human, economic, and social capital influenced individuals’ responses to societal changes and the subsequent consequences for their life paths. We reflect on the strengths and limitations of both survey and qualitative methods, providing valuable insights into the dynamic relationship between institutional changes and individual agency. The chapter concludes by contemplating future opportunities for analysing longitudinal data by supplementing it with administrative data from national registries.