Belief in Hell and Parenting Priorities Concerning Child Independence and Obedience: Does Economic Context Matter?. Issue 4 (16th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jung, Jong Hyun
• Is Part Of: Journal for the scientific study of religion. Volume 59:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 629
• Page End: 645
• Publication Date: 2020-10-16
• Subjects: comparative sociology -- family -- GDP per capita -- multilevel modeling -- religion; Religion -- Periodicals; 200
• DOI: 10.1111/jssr.12685
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8294

Abstract

Abstract: This study examines the ways that belief in hell is associated with parental goals concerning child independence and obedience. Further, it assesses how this association is contingent upon economic circumstances of a nation, reflected by a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita. Multilevel analyses with data from the sixth wave of the World Values Survey (2010‐2014) show that belief in hell is associated with a greater likelihood of opposing independence and endorsing obedience. Yet, these observed associations differ across national economic context. Specifically, the negative association between belief in hell and parental endorsement of independence is greater in countries that are more economically developed. Similarly, the positive association between belief in hell and parental endorsement of obedience is greater in countries that are more economically developed. The theoretical implications of these findings are discussed regarding the interplay of religion, parental values about child socialization, and social context.