Distribution and Characteristics of Symbolic Universes Over the European Societies

Abstract

This chapter reports the analysis of the distribution and characteristics of the segments of people associated with the symbolic universes. Analyses comprise seven countries are in Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom. The aim of these analysis is to understand if and to what extent socio-demographic and psycho-social factors that could play a role in moderating the impact of policies are associated with specific symbolic universes. Main findings: (a) the distribution of the different cultural segments differs quite a lot across countries, though the Niche of belongingness cultural segment appear as the most or one of the most frequent in all countries under analysis; (b) as to the socio-demographic profiles of the cultural segments, niche of belongingness and others’ world—i.e. the cultural segments characterized for the most negative worldviews—are associated with worse living conditions—low level of education, high unemployment or low quality of employment; negative self-evaluation of own health; moreover, they present a low level of (self-evaluated) positive personality traits, a low sense of interpersonal and community linkages, negative attitude towards foreigners. Conversely, ordered universe and interpersonal bond have a rather similar profile, characterized by young, highly educated people having a high quality occupational status and satisfaction with their health; moreover, these two cultural segments present positive personality characteristics as well as high level in the psycho-social capacity to valorise and make interpersonal and community life meaningful.