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Erik Lundberg
SVEN
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Hur stärker vi förtroendet för socialtjänsten?

2026Abdelzadeh, A., & Lundberg, E.Hälsa och välfärd i Dalarna (HvD), Högskolan Dalarna

What is this study about?

The study examines what creates trust in social services and why trust varies between different groups. It analyses how residents' knowledge of and experiences with social services, as well as their perceptions of the services' treatment, competence and fairness, are associated with trust. The study combines a mapping of residents' attitudes with a practical development perspective on how municipalities can work to strengthen the relationship between social services and citizens.

What did we find?

The results show that trust in social services varies between different groups and is associated with both knowledge and experiences. Perceptions of social services' competence, fairness and treatment matter for how the services are assessed. The study thus points to trust not being merely a general attitude toward public institutions, but also shaped by what people know about social services and how they perceive the way they work.

Why does it matter?

Trust is particularly important for a public service that meets people in vulnerable situations and is at the same time dependent on citizens perceiving the service as legitimate and accessible. Low trust can create distance between social services and the people they are there for. The study therefore points to concrete areas where municipalities can work to strengthen trust – through greater knowledge, good treatment and a service perceived as competent and fair.

Citation

Abdelzadeh, A., & Lundberg, E. (2026) Hur stärker vi förtroendet för socialtjänsten?. Hälsa och välfärd i Dalarna (HvD), Högskolan Dalarna

Research area

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