Resilience of Socially Vulnerable Populations to Disinformation in Lithuania: The Role of the Welfare State

Abstract

The geopolitical context, particularly the ongoing war in Ukraine, underscores the necessity for societal preparedness and resilience against disinformation in Lithuania. This issue is especially important for the Baltic countries, which experience substantial disinformation flows from the Russian Federation. This study aims to investigate the resilience of socially vulnerable people in Lithuania to disinformation, with a specific focus on the role of the welfare state. A representative survey was conducted among the Lithuanian population in 2024 to achieve this aim. The data were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Resilience to disinformation was measured through statements reflecting the dominant narratives of Russian disinformation. Independent variables included respondents' labor market status, age, income, education, and subjective evaluation of their living standards, providing a comprehensive framework for assessing social vulnerability. The findings reveal that socially vulnerable populations, particularly those with lower socioeconomic status and limited educational attainment, exhibit lower levels of resilience to disinformation. Furthermore, the role of the Lithuanian welfare state in mitigating these vulnerabilities and protecting against poverty appears inadequate.