World Values Survey Data Research Articles

AFTER ATHEISM: A SOCIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION

The fall of communism and the collapse of the Soviet Union, the processes of nation building in five Central Asian states have changed the status of religion in these post-soviet countries. The religious freedom is recognized as one of the fundamental humans right in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This essay aims to highlight a unique form of secularism in Kazakhstan, one that is based on the low level of everyday religiosity and evidence that the eventual expansion of Islam in the physical and spiritual spaces does not negate the influence of established secular cultural attitudes. This study examines Kazakh religiosity through a comparative examination of World Values Survey data from 2011 and 2018. The examination of the features of religiosity and the proposition of the distinction between a believer and a religious person define this paper’s subject. The empirical data indicates that Islam has the capacity to transcend moral norms, despite the fact that the majority of Kazakhs' national attitude does not align with Islamic religion in the twenty-first century. Finally, the study draws the conclusion that since most people in post-atheistic Kazakhstan continue to keep secular attitudes, state policy must preserve the secular character of the state while adjusting state-confessional relations to changing Kazakhstan's religious landscape.

Globalisation in-Between Homogenisation and Heterogenisation: An Institutionalist Analysis on Türkiye

ABSTRACT While neoliberal globalisation exerts both homogenising and heterogenising forces on a global scale, an excessive emphasis on its homogenising effects can lead to overly optimistic and unrealistic future projections. This study, instead, directs its focus towards the heterogenising impact of neoliberal principles and norms on Türkiye through an institutionalist lens. Beginning with a historical analysis and subsequently conducting an empirical examination using World Values Survey (WVS) data, the research reveals that the divergent evolution of Türkiye and the West created structural differentiation preventing Türkiye’s homogeneous integration into the West. A process tracing analysis spanning from 1990 to 2017 further demonstrates that Türkiye's historically evolved social institutions exhibit resilience against the pressures of neoliberal change, despite its widespread diffusion throughout the country since 1980. As a result, this paper posits that heterogenisation and its inherent unpredictability are destined to shape the future global landscape, challenging the optimistic assumptions of pro-globalisation advocates.

Methodology of the comparative sociology of trust (case study of Russia and China)

The article deals with the methodological issues of the comparative sociology of trust. In order to compare the level of trust in different countries a set of indicators is proposed (generalized trust; particularized trust; trust radius; institutional trust). The problems of measuring generalized and institutional trust in China and Russia are revealed. Based on World Values Survey data, a comparative analysis of trust levels in the Russian Federation and China is carried out. The authors also present data from their own empirical study of trust (telephone survey of the population in St. Petersburg and Leningradskaya Oblast; Internet study of trust, in-depth interviews of both residents of the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China). To explain the processes of transformation of trust in the Russian Federation and China, a modernization approach is used and the role of a culture of trust is revealed. China has a high level of both generalized and institutionalized trust based on its own specific culture of trust. But the radius of trust is narrow and indicators of out-group trust are extremely low. In Russia, the level of generalized trust is low, but the level of institutional trust is average, radius of trust is wider and the level of out-group trust is higher. Particularized trust is approximately the same in China and Russia; at least, we have not identified any special “familistic culture of trust”.

Life Satisfaction: Insights from the World Values Survey

This paper explores enduring influences on life satisfaction using empirical analysis of World Values Survey (WVS) data (four versions of the most comprehensive dataset, namely 1.6, 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0). Five significant values emerged—financial satisfaction, happiness, freedom of choice, health, and democracy. Through rigorous selection processes and various statistical techniques, a subset of three determinants resulted, along with consecrated socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, marital status, social class, and settlement size. Advanced methodologies such as feature selection, random and non-random cross-validations, overfitting removal, collinearity and reverse causality checks, and different regressions served to evaluate and validate robust models. Nomograms helped to predict life satisfaction probabilities. The findings contribute to understanding life satisfaction dynamics and offer practical insights for future research and policy.

Support for sexual and reproductive health and rights in Sub-Saharan Africa: a new index based on World Values Survey data

BackgroundAddressing attitudes is central to achieving sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and Agenda 2030. We aimed to develop a comprehensive index to measure attitudinal support for SRHR, expanding opportunities for global trend analyses and tailored interventions.MethodsWe designed a new module capturing attitudes towards different dimensions of SRHR, collected via the nationally representative World Values Survey in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Zimbabwe during 2020–2021 (n = 3,711). We used exploratory factor analysis of 58 items to identify sub-scales and an overall index. Adjusted regression models were used to evaluate the index according to sociodemographic characteristics, stratified by country and sex.ResultsA 23-item, five-factor solution was identified and used to construct sub-indices reflecting support for: (1) sexual and reproductive rights, (2) neighborhood sexual safety, (3) gender-equitable relationships, (4) equitable masculinity norms, and (5) SRHR interventions. These five sub-indices performed well across countries and socioeconomic subgroups and were combined into a comprehensive “SRHR Support Index”, standardized on a 1–100 scale (mean = 39.19, SD = 15.27, Cronbach’s alpha = 0.80) with higher values indicating more support for SRHR. Mean values were highest in Kenya (45.48, SD = 16.78) followed by Ethiopia (40.2, SD = 13.63), and lowest in Zimbabwe (32.65, SD = 13.77), with no differences by sex. Higher education and being single were associated with more support, except in Ethiopia. Younger age and urban residence correlated with more support among males only.ConclusionThe SRHR Support Index has the potential to broaden SRHR attitude research from a comprehensive perspective – addressing the need for a common measure to track progress over time.

Enough Terror to Belong: The Nonlinear Association of Death Anxiety with Group Identification

Death anxiety is presumed to be positively associated with group identification; however, recent evidence of a null correlation between the two constructs raises questions regarding this assumption. In contrast to the traditional linear perspective, we proposed and tested a J-shaped curvilinear association that only death anxiety beyond a certain threshold predicts group identification. Using two-wave longitudinal data from the UK, study 1 (N=1,402) revealed that only after reaching a moderate-to-high level could death anxiety measured during the COVID-19 pandemic positively predict later identification with the community, one’s country, and all humanity. Furthermore, using World Values Survey data, study 2 (N=56,871) found that death-related anxiety (i.e., worry about a terrorist attack) was only positively associated with perceived closeness to one’s village, county, and country after reaching a moderate-to-high level. Our findings provide a novel insight into the process of managing terror and the replication failure of the mortality salience effect.

Trust in Iran and Türkiye: A Comparative Study of Interpersonal, Institutional, and Social Trust

Human beings are social creatures in their nature, as Aristotle stated 2400 years ago. Society needs trust for economic and social development as it shapes interactions and relations among individuals and groups. Opinion surveys offer global comparisons of trust levels and show heterogeneity. For example, in countries such as Sweden and Norway, more than 60% of respondents reported that 'most people can be trusted.' On the other hand, in countries such as Türkiye, Iran, and other Middle East countries, less than 15% think this is the case. This study offers an overview of trust in Iran and Türkiye. It examines types of trust utilizing the World Values Survey data. Citizens in Iran and Türkiye have the highest trust in close groups such as their families. On the other hand, trust in outgroups such as people from another nationality or different religions could be higher to moderate. Moreover, the Iranian and Turkish public consider institutions such as the armed forces more trustworthy, whereas international institutions such as the IMF and WHO are less trusted.

Armed conflict, insecurity, and attitudes toward women's and girls' reproductive autonomy in Nigeria

BackgroundArmed conflict and insecurity have been linked to deteriorations in reproductive health and rights globally. In Nigeria, armed violence has taken a significant toll on women's and girls' health and safety. However, knowledge is limited about how conflict shapes attitudes surrounding their ability to make autonomous decisions on relationships and childbearing. Drawing on a socioecological framework and terror management theory, we aimed to investigate the association between conflict, insecurity, and attitudes toward women's and girls' reproductive autonomy in Nigeria. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from two sources: the World Values Survey (WVS) and the Uppsala Conflict Data Program-Georeferenced Event Dataset (UCDP-GED). Nationally representative data on attitudes of 559 men and 534 women was collected by WVS in 2017–2018. Linear probability models estimated the association between attitudes toward five dimensions of women and girl's reproductive autonomy (contraception, safe abortion, marital decision-making, delayed childbearing, early marriage), respondents' perceptions of neighborhood insecurity using WVS data, and geospatial measures of conflict exposure drawn from UCDP-GED. ResultsExposure to armed conflict and perceived neighborhood insecurity were associated with more supportive attitudes toward access to safe abortion among both men and women. Among women, conflict exposure was associated with higher support for contraception and the perception that early marriage can provide girls with security. Conflict-affected men were more likely to support a delay in girls’ childbearing. ConclusionOur findings suggest that conflict and insecurity pose a threat to, but also facilitate opportunities for, women's and girls' reproductive autonomy. Contraception, abortion, early marriage, and postponement or childbearing may be perceived as risk-aversion strategies in response to mortality threats, livelihood losses, and conflict-driven sexual violence. Our findings foreshadow changes in fertility and relationship patterns in conflict-affected Nigeria and highlight the need for health programming to ensure access to contraception and safe abortion services.

Understanding the Dynamics of Life Satisfaction in the Swedish Welfare State: A Multifaceted Analysis Integrating Quantitative, Qualitative, and Discourse Approaches

This interdisciplinary study investigates life satisfaction in the context of the Swedish welfare state, employing a mixed-methods approach to offer a comprehensive understanding. Quantitative analyses, utilizing World Values Survey data, reveal significant associations between work importance, household financial situation, and life satisfaction. However, the explanatory power of the models remains modest at 15.3%. The study emphasizes the need for a holistic approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of work and financial well-being with other determinants of life satisfaction. Qualitative insights, derived from interviews and focus groups, explore individual experiences, uncovering nuanced perspectives on well-being. Participants highlight the importance of resources, welfare benefits, work, and personal freedom, aligning with the capability approach. The conceptualization of well-being incorporates Chambers' notion of capabilities, Sen's emphasis on freedom, and Nussbaum's consideration of how individuals’ function. Discourse analysis enriches the study by examining language as a constitutive force, shaping perceptions, and influencing actions. A focus group discussion and blog analysis reveal diverse views on life satisfaction, emphasizing the significance of freedom and choice. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of life satisfaction, calling for future research that integrates quantitative, qualitative, and discourse analysis approaches. The study underscores the complexity of life satisfaction and its multifaceted determinants, urging policymakers and practitioners to adopt comprehensive strategies in promoting well-being in welfare states like Sweden.

Social Media Use and Political Engagement in Polarized Times. Examining the Contextual Roles of Issue and Affective Polarization in Developed Democracies

ABSTRACT Studies addressing the normative questions of whether social media use positively or negatively affects citizens’ levels of democratic engagement and satisfaction with democracy have produced mixed findings. This study tests the proposition that political polarization plays an important contingent role in explaining these relationships. Combining Varieties of Democracy (VDEM) and World Values Survey (WVS) data, this study examines how issue polarization and affective polarization at the country level shape the relationships between social media use for political information and democratic outcomes in 27 developed democracies. The findings show divergent consequences of social media use contingent on affective polarization. In the countries with high affective polarization, social media use increased democratic engagement (i.e. participation and voting) and decreased satisfaction with democracy (i.e. political satisfaction and perceived quality of democracy), which may have implications for democratic erosion and backsliding. In the countries with low affective polarization, social media use increased the perceived quality of democracy but had no effect on political satisfaction. Issue polarization had a limited contingent influence. The findings contribute to the literature by explicating the dynamics of country-level affective polarization that can shape and contextualize the relationship between social media use and democratic engagement in democracies across the world.

Polarization, religiosity, and support for gender equality: A comparative study across four Muslim-majority countries

This study focuses on links between religion, political polarization, and support for gender equality, empirically studying Turkey, Indonesia, Tunisia, and Malaysia. These four Muslim-majority electoral democracies include different degrees of polarization between secularists and Islamists, whereby Islamists vilify secularists' supposed Western ideals as gender equality. We explore whether regional polarization between Islamist and secularist sentiments impacts common peoples' gender equality attitudes and the link between their religious and political positions and their gender equality support. Applying multilevel analyses to World Values Survey data, we find that the more strongly and politically religious and more right-wing people tend to support gender equality less, while regional polarization does not significantly affect gender equality in general. However, polarization does fuel support for women's political leadership (not educational and economic equality) among men, which might echo the strategical deployment of female candidates in polarized regions. Clearly, gender equality's dimensions have their own dynamics.

The Political Economy of Life Satisfaction: Democracy, National Wealth, and Personal Income

Abstract Numerous studies examine the micro-dynamics of subjective well-being (SWB) generally, or life satisfaction (LS) more specifically. Others also document the macro determinants of SWB and LS. We propose a model linking the two, in which an individual’s life satisfaction is contingent on (1) personal circumstances, (2) national factors such as democratic governance and the national wealth, and (3) the explicit interaction of these two levels of analysis. We test three sets of hypotheses that arise from this model with compiled data from six waves of the World Values Survey (WVS) data. The empirical evidence we present supports most of the hypotheses, including our novel proposition that both national wealth and democracy reduce the effect of individual personal income on LS.

Chinese Entrepreneurs Preference in Income Redistribution Policy

This paper delves into an intriguing phenomenon: the low preference for income redistribution policies among Chinese entrepreneurs when compared to other employment statuses in China. Understanding this unique policy preference is crucial for policymakers aiming to implement effective socio-economic strategies. Drawing comprehensive insights from an array of existing studies and utilizing data from the World Value Survey (WVS), we proposed three hypotheses. These hypotheses were centered around entrepreneurs' education level, their attribution of success to effort or luck, and their inherent trust in the government, respectively.The WVS data supported two of these hypotheses. Firstly, entrepreneurs in China tend to hold the belief that success is mostly attributed to effort rather than serendipity. This belief affects their preference for redistribution policies. Secondly, among Chinese entrepreneurs, there is a lack of confidence in the government's in general, which may extend to their skepticism regarding the government's aptitude in overseeing fair income redistribution.

ДҮНИЕЖҮЗІЛІК ҚҰНДЫЛЫҚТАРҒА ШОЛУ (ДҚШ): НЕГІЗГІ ЗЕРТТЕУ БАҒЫТТАРЫ ЖӘНЕ ҚАЗАҚСТАННАН МЫСАЛДАР

The World Values Survey (WVS) stands as a foundational tool in the study of global societal values, providing researchers with invaluable data to explore key research areas across diverse socio-political, economic, religious, and cultural contexts. This article presents an overview of the WVS and highlights its significance in shaping our understanding of societal values, attitudes, and beliefs worldwide. Drawing upon examples from Kazakhstan, a rapidly evolving society situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, this article illustrates how WVS data have been utilized to investigate a range of pressing social issues. Through a review of research articles by Kazakhstani authors, we explore themes such as public trust, value orientations, youth activities, family dynamics, gender equality, subjective well-being, political stability, and intergenerational value transmission. Additionally, we examine the methodological approaches employed, including literature review, cross-cultural comparison, sociological surveys, and statistical analyses. By elucidating the multifaceted applications of WVS data, this article underscores the WVS’s utility in fostering cross-national collaboration and advancing our understanding of societal dynamics in a rapidly changing world.

Does the relationship between competitiveness and student achievement vary based on the culture of competitiveness? Evidence from PISA 2018

This study joins an intense research debate regarding whether competition is beneficial for student outcomes, focusing on the relationships between student-level and school-level competitiveness and student academic achievement. I also examine the impact of country-specific competitiveness context on the relationships between competitiveness and student achievement. This study's assumptions and hypotheses were guided by theoretical tenets of Swab & Johnson's multilevel model of competition and competitiveness and the person-culture fit model. Using Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2018 data and World Values Survey (WVS) data from 57 countries, I analyzed three-level hierarchical linear models (HLM) with cross-level interactions to test these hypotheses. The results showed that student competitiveness was positively related to student achievement in mathematics within schools. Between schools, a competitive climate was positively correlated to student mathematics achievement. Cross-level interactions revealed country context positively moderated the relationship between student competitiveness and achievement. These findings emphasize the importance of considering broader cultural competitiveness contexts when examining the association between student competitiveness and achievement.

Comparative Analysis of Trust in Financial Institutions Across four Provinces in Pakistan

Trust in financial institutions (ToF) is considered essential for an effective financial system, yet, little has been explored regarding what determines them, particularly in the case of Pakistan. By using World Values Survey data (wave 7), large cross-provincial differences are observed for the trust on banks, which confirmed the influence of several socio-demographic indicators. The findings indicate that men tend to trust banks more than women in most cases and trust in banks tends to increase with income, but not in every province. However, it decreases with age in provinces like Balochistan, and media and internet access bring novel results for the trust in financial institutions. Additionally, trusting religious and political institutions, such as trust in government or civil wars, and economic values may affect the trust in financial institutions too. Therefore, the current study suggests to policymakers that a uniform strategy may not work equally well in boosting trust in financial institutions (ToF) across all provinces of Pakistan. However, media literacy and financial education can be prioritized, particularly in areas with lower educational attainment, which could be instrumental in fostering confidence in banks.

Does satisfaction with amenities and environment influence the taste for revolt in the middle east?

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between individuals’ satisfaction with amenities and environmental quality and taste for revolt in the Middle East. Using recent World Value Survey data (WVS7, 2017–2021) from Egypt and Iraq (which have been experiencing severe environmental degradation and inadequate and mismanagement of public infrastructure) and applying Probit regressions, our results show that satisfaction with amenities and environmental quality indicators are negatively and statistically related to individuals' inclination towards revolt in both countries. This finding is more pronounced in urban areas, particularly in large cities. We also find that individuals’ satisfaction with amenities and environmental quality affect the taste of revolt through the individual’s life satisfaction and satisfaction with the government’s provision of utilities. The analysis for Egypt suggests that satisfaction with public transportation systems, roads and highways, air quality, and housing quality are significantly and negatively associated with support for revolutionary action. For the Iraq sample, we find that dissatisfaction with roads and highways, water quality, school quality, and the physical settings of cities lead to a higher probability of support for uprising.

What shapes tax morality in younger generations? A comparative analysis between Gen Y and Gen Z

AbstractThis study examines tax morality in two youth cohorts, Gen Y and Gen Z, using World Values Survey data from 64 countries (7th wave 2017–2022). Despite numerous studies investigating ethical values around the world, the intricate dynamics shaping tax morality across younger generations remain less clear. Significant differences in factors influencing tax morality are observed between the two generations, including gender, educational level, and religiosity. Results also indicate that traditional forms of trust, such as that in public institutions, predict tax morality, but only in individuals belonging to Gen Y. The research adds further knowledge to existing studies on tax morality among individuals, focusing on a specific subgroup composed of contemporary youth. Policymakers can leverage these insights to promote ethical values among future generations of taxpayers.

Honor and Orientation to War

Abstract When leaders decide to engage in war in defense of interests they represent, only public opinion and mass power can change their will. But if this statement seems valid in the light of the antiwar protests and mobilizations that have marked the Western public sphere, it is thanks to the process of feminization of social values and the electoral implications of this. In the Arab region, it is a different story because ordinary people continue to express themselves positively on participating in military adventures. In order to study the probability of participation in war from the perspective of the common man’s values, this research investigates orientation to war in terms of subjects’ political culture. For this purpose, the researcher uses World Value Survey data collected in ten Arab countries, with 26,000 people surveyed. The results show the positive association between a moral code of honor and an orientation to war.

아시아 국가들의 주관적 건강상태에 미치는 영향요인 분석

This study utilized self-rated health as a method of reducing the deviation between health index and actual health level in Asia. Using the Human Development Index (HDI) score of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), countries were grouped into countries with relatively high health (Group A), middle-level countries (Group B), and countries with relatively low levels of health (Group C), Factors affecting subjective health status for each group with similar health levels were analyzed using the logit model. As an independent variable, psychological, political, economic, social, and environmental factors affecting subjective health were derived using World Values Survey (WVS) data, and the dependent variable was subjective health status. Spatial coverage includes Asian countries, including three Northeast Asian countries, China, Japan, and South Korea, and Southeast Asian countries, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam within the scope of the data. The temporal range corresponds to WVS data Wave 7 from 2017 to 2019. As a result of logistic regression analysis, the variables common to the three groups were life satisfaction and happiness among psychological factors, financial condition satisfaction among economic factors, trust in neighbors among social factors, and medical condition among environmental factors. Group A, which has a relatively high level of health, needs to maintain the psychological and economic factors that have an overall influence, and trust in government, trust in neighbors, group activities, and competition, which are relatively low compared to groups B and C. This suggests that it is necessary to prepare policies to improve awareness and satisfaction with life safety variables. Group B, which has a moderate health index, has to deal with health policies in the direction of maintaining the relatively high level of political and social factors compared to groups A and C. Group C, which has a relatively low health index, has an overall impact. There is a need to improve health policies focusing on psychological and environmental factors that are affecting people's health.