World Values Survey Research Articles

How Do Attitudes of Adult Children Toward Long-Term Care Change with Education? International Evidence

ABSTRACT Global demographic trends indicate that the world population is aging and education acquisition is increasing. For the first time in history, people are expected to spend more years as adults with living parents than as a parent of teenage children, and the average years of schooling have increased dramatically over the past several decades for many countries. Additionally, family-provided care is still the most important form of care to meet care demands worldwide. As strong filial norms could affect older adults’ long-term care decision-making, understanding the link between filial obligations and education is critical under these trends. Using individual data from the World Values Survey and an instrumental variables strategy to account for endogeneity, this study finds that adult children with higher education levels have lower filial beliefs. Since population aging is expected to increase the demand for long-term care services, and education can reduce the supply of family-provided long-term care services, countries must start addressing this gap.

Social Capital in Arab Countries: A Theoretical Perspective

Purpose- This study focuses on social capital, which has gained popularity as a multifaceted concept in economic, political, and social disciplines. There are three social capital dimensions: bonding, bridging, and linking. In this study, we focus on bonding and bridging social capital due to their implications for individuals, the community, and the country. We examine bonding social capital in the Arab Middle East countries, taking the region's economic social, and political composition into account. Methodology- Building on data from the World Values Survey, we examine different proxies of both social capital dimensions in Arab countries. We aim to facilitate an understanding of different social capital dimensions and comprehend their implications for the social, political, and economic development of Arab countries. Conclusion- The emphasis of traditional economic theories has shifted from orthodox factors of production to the importance of factors such as an educated workforce, and sociocultural factors such as a country's social development, and cultural structure, in addition to factors such as social interactions, social capital, trust, cooperation, and tolerance.

Impact of Crime and Insecurity on Citizen Trust in Public Institutions: Evidence from Bangladesh

The paper aims to explore how crime and insecurity influence citizen trust in public institutions. The study takes Bangladesh as a case study to analyze individual-level data from 1200 respondents obtained from Wave 7 of the World Values Survey (WVS) conducted following a representative sampling. Employing simple linear and multiple regression models, the results demonstrate that the relationships between citizen trust and the four variables of crime and insecurity are significantly negative. The findings indicate that crime incidence in neighborhoods, victimization, fear of crime, and worrying about life detrimentally affect or erode citizen trust and confidence in public institutions. Therefore, the study concludes that combating crime, protecting public security, and maintaining law and order are crucial to restoring citizen trust in public institutions and improving government performance.

How Culture Impacts Economic Development: A Cross-country Comparison

The significance of cultural factors in economic development is analyzed. Culture here refers to values, behaviors, and beliefs. Culture alone cannot explain development, but there are some factors that help us understand why some countries develop faster than others. The study makes use of the World Values Survey as a road map for analysis using cross-cultural comparisons. The analysis focuses on two key core values: trust and achievement. This is applied to two regions: East Asia (Japan and Korea) and Latin America (Mexico and Peru). The aim is to examine how aspects of culture help accelerate or impede development.

Ethnic cabinet diversity, co-ethnic representation, and attitudes toward government

ABSTRACT Does co-ethnic cabinet representation change how people respond to increasing ethnic cabinet diversity? Existing literature studies co-ethnic representation and cabinet diversity separately. I argue that the interaction between co-ethnic cabinet representation and ethnic cabinet diversity lowers government confidence and impacts feelings of ethnic fairness. Using a newly constructed dataset linking both the World Values Survey and the Afrobarometer to country-year measures of ethnic cabinet diversity, I find that interacting co-ethnic representation with ethnic cabinet diversity largely has the expected results. Country leaders should think carefully about how to manage cabinet appointments in order to improve attitudes toward government.

Constructed Community: Rise and Engines of Chinese Nationalism Under Xi Jinping

ABSTRACT The Chinese state-sponsored campaign for nationalism has intensified since the last decade. This article is an empirical study focusing on Chinese mass nationalism in the same period. Drawing data from the World Values Surveys, it finds that mass nationalism significantly increased from 2012/13 to 2018, ranked second with a growth rate of 13.7% among 27 selected countries and regions. The origin of this remarkable rise of mass nationalism is rooted in elite construction. The findings suggest that constructivism is the most potent theory to explain nationalism during Xi’s presidency. The intensification of mass nationalism in China will continue as long as the construction of state nationalism is maintained. One backlash against this trend may come from social media.

Jamaican Values and Foreign Policy

Dependency theory suggests that the foreign policy of small island developing countries will be congruent to the preferences and interest of larger and more powerful countries in its sphere of influence.  A large body of contemporary scholarship asserts that values not only play a role in the mass public’s attitudes toward domestic politics, but that they also help people make sense of attitudes toward international affairs national values, they are influenced by factors such as historical traditions, cultural backgrounds, and the realities of the country. Internal tensions are created when a government pursues a foreign policy that is incongruent with the values of the citizens. This study examined the values of 513 Jamaican citizens using the World Value Survey and discussed these findings within the context of values theory and contemporary foreign policy issues. The secular versus religious divide helps to explain the differences in views on LBGTQ, Abortion and Promiscuity and Abstinence between Jamaica and the hegemon. There is far more congruence in values and culture as it relates to Privacy, Science and Technology, Corruption, and Security. It is important that national culture and values of dependent countries be respected by dominant countries instead of assimilating into one worldview.  

Impact of multi-dimensional religiosity on party support in Poland

This article delves into the profound implications of multi-dimensional religiosity on political party support, with a special focus on the case of Poland (N = 1203). In a society undergoing a transformative journey towards secularism and progressiveness, the traditional role of religiosity in shaping political attitudes has been reevaluated. In order to check the impact of religiosity, binomial logistic regression models were conducted. In the study, combined Wave 7 World Value Survey and European Value Study database was used. With the obtained results, a significant role of normative religiosity was detected. The results do not confirm conclusions discussed by other leading authors in Poland, who use other models and indicators of religiosity. The proposed study provokes and encourages for change in the methodological approach in building party-support models in Poland by including and measuring the normative dimension of religiosity as the leading source of individual party support motivation, discarding thus more traditional ritualistic behaviour measuring.

Egoistic value is positively associated with pro-environmental attitude and behaviour when the environmental problems are psychologically close.

Egoistic value is conceptualized as anti-environmental in many environmental value theories, yet contradictory evidence exists for its relation with pro-environmental attitude and behaviour. To provide insights into these inconsistent findings, this research examined the moderating role of the psychological distance of environmental problems on their relationship. Across one cross-sectional survey study (1008 community participants from the United States) and one World Values Survey study (66,704 nationally representative participants from 46 countries/regions), results converged in showing that psychological distance of environmental problems (i.e. climate change and local pollution) moderated the relationship between egoistic value and pro-environmental attitude and behaviour. Their association became more positive as that psychological distance got closer. Different patterns were observed for altruistic and biospheric values. These findings highlight the potential pro-environmental utility of egoistic value and the importance of paying attention to contexts when theorizing its relation with pro-environmental attitude and behaviour.

Political Activism and Other Predictors of Immigration-Status-Based Prejudice: Secondary Data Analysis of the World Values Survey

Political activism is motivated by the desire for equity in the distribution of social values, raising curiosity about how activism plays out in matters of prejudicial sentiments. Therefore, this work was designed to examine the prediction of immigration-status-based prejudice by activism in a cross-national data context. The data used are secondary data from Wave 7 of the 2017-2021 World Values Survey (N=76 897) and the 2017-2020 European Values Survey (N=58 103), which were conducted in 81 different countries. Binary logistic regression featuring the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to analyze data. Results show that 21.7% of respondents were prejudiced against immigrants while the mean±SD of political activism was 6.46±2.26 (min.=4, max.=12). Politically active respondents were significantly less likely to have prejudice against immigrants (AOR=0.861; 95% CI=0.855, 0.866; p

Development of a Scale to Measure Tolerance Toward Diverse Others1

AbstractOpportunities to interact with people from different cultures and languages have increased as society has become more globalized. Hence, it has become increasingly important for people living in today's international society to accept and try to build trusting relationships with those who may perceive the world differently. This study aimed to develop a scale to measure people's tolerant attitudes toward diverse others (hereafter, tolerance toward diverse others). Furthermore, after confirming the newly developed scale's reliability and validity, we used it to examine its associations with general trust and cultural interdependent self‐construal. Albeit exploratively, we then discuss the relationships among these variables. Our results showed that scores on the newly developed Tolerance of Diverse Others Scale were positively correlated with scores on the General Trust Scale and also with scores on tolerance‐related items in the World Values Survey. Furthermore, the harmony‐seeking aspect of cultural interdependent self‐construal was positively correlated with tolerance toward diverse others, while the rejection‐avoidance aspect was negatively correlated, although the positive correlation between harmony seeking and rejection avoidance was shown. We discuss what the results suggest about Japanese individuals' perceptions of diverse others.

A Pious Paradox

The divergent trajectories in the legalization of same-sex marriage amidst disparate levels of religiosity challenges conventional wisdom about the relationship between religion, state, and society. Contrary to the conventional belief that higher religiosity in countries fosters conservative views and resistance to progressive social reforms, Argentina and Chile present an intriguing anomaly. Utilizing data from the World Values Survey and examining the historical, political, and social contexts of each country, this paper seeks to understand why Argentina, with its higher religiosity and constitutional favoritism towards Catholicism, became the first Latin American country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010, while Chile, less religious but more socially conservative, followed much later in 2021. The paper explores the divergent pre and post-dictatorship economic philosophies, governmental structures, sociopolitical landscapes and the distinct roles of the Catholic Church in 21st century Chilean and Argentine politics. It argues that in Argentina, individual political views and a vibrant civil society have developed independently of religious beliefs, fostering a political culture more open to progressive social reform. Conversely, Chile’s entrenched neoliberal policies and the Catholic Church’s sustained influence in Chilean civil society align with more conservative social values, impeding similar progress. These findings challenge the assumption that higher levels of religiosity necessarily correlate with social conservatism and underscore the complex interplay between religion, government, and social values. This research not only illuminates the nuanced dynamics at play in the legal recognition of same-sex marriage in Latin America but also suggests broader implications for understanding the impact of religiosity on political and social attitudes globally.

Using Machine Translation and Post-Editing in the TRAPD Approach: Effects on the Quality of Translated Survey Texts.

A highly controlled experimental setting using a sample of questions from the European Social Survey (ESS) and European Values Study (EVS) was used to test the effects of integrating machine translation and post-editing into the Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pretesting, and Documentation (TRAPD) approach in survey translation. Four experiments were conducted in total, two concerning the language pair English-German and two in the language pair English-Russian. The overall results of this study are positive for integrating machine translation and post-editing into the TRAPD process, when translating survey questionnaires. The experiments show evidence that in German and Russian languages and for a sample of ESS and EVS survey questions, the effect of integrating machine translation and post-editing on the quality of the review outputs-with quality understood as texts output with the fewest errors possible-can hardly be distinguished from the quality that derives from the setting with human translations only.

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.

Why Americans Support Strict Counterterrorism Measures: Examining the Relationship between Concern about Terrorism and Public Support for Counterterrorism

Abstract After 9/11, contemporary debates on security often place civil liberties and security at opposite ends of the same spectrum, requiring the loss of one for the maintenance of the other. In addition, public concerns about terrorism determine or at least color public perception about government counterterrorism activities. Thus, the current study empirically examines factors influencing the public’s perception of government activities that may infringe upon individual rights, focusing on the effects of concern about terrorism. For this study we use data collected in World Value Survey (WVS) pertaining to respondents from the U.S. The results of a series of regression analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) indicate that public concern about terrorism is positively associated with support for counterterrorism activities. Moreover, other factors including satisfaction with democracy, community membership and trust in the government are found to play an important role in explaining public support for counterterrorism activities.

The Link Between Trust and Subjective Health: Role of Bridging Social Capital Depending on the Cultural Context

Objective: Various forms of social relationships (e.g., family, romantic relationships, friendship) have been shown to predict health-related outcomes. Bridging social capital, referring to a less intimate social circle, is among those forms of social relationships associated with health. For the first time, the current study aims to examine whether the link between bridging social relationships and a health outcome (i.e., subjective health evaluations) would differ based on the cultural context defined in terms of the individualism-collectivism dimension. Methods and Measures: Data, including representative samples from 64 countries ( N = 94,278), were analyzed using the last wave of the World Values Survey. Results: Findings indicated that the positive link between bridging social capital and subjective health was more salient when individualism scores were greater after controlling for the covariates (gender, age, education, income, marital status, and the number of children). However, the effect size was weak. Conclusion: Given that the predictor role of bridging social ties on health could vary based on the cultural context, findings suggested a more nuanced perspective regarding the influence of social relationships on health.

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.

Navigating trust: The clash of clan culture and conventional management

AbstractHow does a mismatch between management and cultural norms lead to decreased engagement and productivity? Within both Germanic and Mediterranean cultural spheres, trust dynamics mirror deeply ingrained kinship patterns, which evolve slowly over time. The inclination to trust within one's own kin group is notably stronger among Mediterranean populations compared to their Germanic counterparts. Even as these populations migrated to regions such as Latin America and the United States, the distinct trust patterns persist. Germanic managerial methodologies rely heavily on trust‐based behaviors inherent to Germanic cultures, which may not find resonance within the Mediterranean cultural context. Consequently, such managerial approaches often prove less effective within Mediterranean clusters. In contrast, management practices that prioritize kinship dynamics, commonly seen among Mediterranean peoples, foster an environment of trust, teamwork, and a sense of collective responsibility. This approach necessitates fewer bureaucratic controls and cultivates heightened levels of engagement and performance in the workplace. These assertions draw from a synthesis of historical accounts, business literature, anthropological studies, as well as empirical evidence from sources such as the World Values Survey Wave 6 data and field research conducted over a 2‐year period within a Brazilian samba school setting.

Polarization of gender role attitudes across Europe

ABSTRACT Value polarization is one of the key factors in societal development. This research focuses on whether opinions concerning gender roles in the domestic and public spheres are polarized in European societies, a topic still under-investigated. Based on the fifth wave of European Values Study data (2017–2020), the study shows that gender role attitudes in the domestic sphere are more polarized than those in the public sphere. Polarization by education, level of income, migration background, and degree of religiosity is stronger for gender role attitudes in the domestic sphere, whereas polarization by gender is stronger for gender role attitudes in the public sphere. Both gender role attitudes in the public and domestic spheres are most strongly polarized by education. At the same time, belonging to a social group with higher education, higher income, and lower religiosity can promote more progressive views towards gender roles. Opinions in Eastern European countries tend to seem more polarized than in Western European countries, even if with some exceptions. In countries with a higher level of gender equality, the level of polarization is a bit lower, while in countries where there is a remarkable rise of anti-gender narratives, opponent and conflictual views are higher.

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.