Post-Soviet transition beyond liminality in an Estonian town: Opportunities for social work

Summary This article explores the experiences of older residents in Sillamäe—a former “closed town” in Estonia established during the early Soviet era. Focusing on the profound societal changes of the 1990s following the collapse of the USSR, we seek to address the knowledge gap about the social changes and personal challenges during this period and understand how these experiences continue to shape the lives of residents today. Using a social constructionist life course perspective and the concept of liminality, we try to understand the adaptation experiences and connect this topic to broader societal processes. The study includes ethnographic fieldwork and interviews with 17 local residents aged 61–91. For the data analysis, we employed an open thematic analysis. Findings The analysis showed that the USSR's collapse profoundly impacted the interviewees’ lives, causing ruptures in their social networks and connections and in their sense of identity and belonging, as well as creating economic hardship. Individuals and entire communities found themselves marginalized and struggling to fit into a new society. At the same time, the resources to support local residents during this transition were limited. Sillamäe became a key resource for making sense of circumstances in a new society, offering a liminal space between place and society. Applications Escaping liminality demands cultural scaffolding, psychological support, and social and economic assistance to navigate challenges and make new meanings individually and collectively. Social workers can influence how individuals and communities experience transitions, creating opportunities for transformation and renewal.