The goal of this empirical research is to study the specificity of perception of some ethnic groups (Moldovans, Russians, Bulgarians, Gagauz, and Ukrainians). The methodological tools included - testing, questionnaires, work in focus groups. The sample consisted of 152 respondents in 2016, 53 respondents in 2018 and 17 respondents - Moldovan migrant workers (in Piacenza, in southeast Italy). Results of empirical research The researching of temporal perspective among the mentioned ethnic groups revealed that they usually plan their future for a very short period of time (1–5 years). Presently, they do not have a long temporal perspective. All the enthic groups perceive the present time as constantly changing, open, rapid; important, but also hard and threatening. In terms of time perception, we have identified youth groups, which are “optimists” representing the reformist potential and “socially disturbing”, which, provided that the socio-economic development of the region continues to decline, tend to emigrate. The study of social and cultural changes through the collective memory of the Moldovans, Russians, Bulgarians, Gagauz, and Ukranians revealed that the category „family” is a basic one. Frequent events highlighted by respondents are events related to family holidays, rituals and family relationships. The difficulties of categorizing and reflecting sociocultural changes in society in the perception of the world among ethnic groups activate the categories of „close circle” – a family, kindred intergenerational solidarity. In the perception of Moldovan migrant workers, among the sociocultural changes that occur in the country upon their short return, the most obvious are the changes in the material standard of living, negative changes in interpersonal relations. The spread of ideas is polarized, from extremely positive to negative, with the dominance of the positive. The content of the ethnocultural transmission by parents (labor migrants) to children is dominated by a positive attitude towards the homeland and the country. The study of the socio-psychological characteristics of the perception by the representatives of different ethnic groups of the Republic of Moldova of the socio-cultural changes taking place in the country is the basis of subjectivity, for inclusion in the reform programs of society.