We are conducting a 3-year research study on Lithuanian values. We are interested in Lithuanians who have emigrated from Lithuania and are now living in another country. We would like to learn whether living in another country shapes individuals’ personal values and in what ways. We are interested in the factors that shape our values. Importantly, do individual values change as a result of living in a new country? How long does this process take? Are the values of Lithuanians living abroad different from nonmigrant Lithuanians?
Participation in this study is now closed. Thanks to all who have shared their views!
✨ This project is funded by the Lithuanian Research Council.
Publications:
Our article on changing values in Lithuania reveals surprising findings about the values of people born after 1990. These individuals have become more conservative, less open to change, and less self-transcending over time, indicating a significant shift in societal attitudes and beliefs. This trend is attributed to various factors, including economic challenges, which have shaped their worldview in profound ways. As a result, the younger generation exhibits a preference for stability and traditional values, often prioritizing security over risk-taking and innovation. These developments raise important questions about the future trajectory of Lithuanian society and its impact on cultural dynamics.
• 📚 Mockaitis, A.I., Kumpikaitė-Valiūnienė, V., Duobienė, J., Banevičienė, I., Žičkutė-Daugelavičienė, I. (2025). Between past and present: Age, period and cohort effects on changing values in Lithuania. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology.
Our book chapter on Lithuanian migrants reveals a significant link between values and intentions to emigrate, highlighting how cultural beliefs and personal values shape the decision-making process. This research emphasizes the interplay of socio-economic conditions and individual values, demonstrating how these elements collectively guide the intentions and outcomes of migration.
• 📚 Kumpikaitė-Valiūnienė, V., Mockaitis, A.I., Duobienė, J., Žičkutė, I., & Liubinienė, V. (2023). Can Intentions to Migrate be Explained through Individual Values? An Exploratory Study in Lithuania. In: A.I.Mockaitis (Ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Global Migration in International Business. Palgrave.
We have also analyzed the values of members of the Lithuanian diaspora, revealing intriguing similarities and notable differences in values when comparing foreign-born Lithuanians to their Lithuanian emigrant counterparts and nonmigrant Lithuanians who have remained in the country. Such contrasts illuminate how geographical and social contexts influence personal and collective ideologies. Additionally, the findings demonstrate a rich tapestry of cultural identity among the diaspora members, fostering an understanding of how these values shape their interactions within their communities and their homeland. Read the paper.
• 📚 Mockaitis, A.I., & Zander, L. (2023). Dissecting generations of migrant identities within a diaspora. In: A.I.Mockaitis (Ed.), The Palgrave Handbook of Global Migration in International Business. Palgrave.
Professor Audra I. Mockaitis 