Religious involvement in the context of public moral standards and sustainable social development – A case study of Polish voivodeships

• Published in: Socio-economic planning sciences 2024-10, Vol.95, p.102016, Article 102016
• Main Authors: Pawlewicz, Katarzyna, Senetra, Adam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hellwig's method; Public moral norms; Religious involvement; Sustainable social development; Synthetic variable
• ISSN: 0038-0121
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seps.2024.102016

The manuscript analyzes the spatial distribution, relationships and statistical dependence between religious involvement vs. the observance of public moral norms, and between religious involvement vs. sustainable social development as the main criterion and based on indirect criteria such as demographics, education, social welfare, health, public security, housing, social engagement, and the labor market. The study was conducted in Polish voivodeships, which represent the highest level of territorial division, and data for analyses were obtained from public statistical databases. The phenomena were examined with the use of synthetic variables, whereas composite indicators were determined by Hellwig's method. The study revealed considerable variations in the magnitude of the examined phenomena across Polish regions and the absence of significant correlations between religious involvement vs. the observance of public moral norms and sustainable social development as the main criterion. High values of indirect criteria are associated with regional development. Positive relationships were also observed between religiosity and selected indirect criteria. •Religious involvement, observance of public moral norms, and sustainable social development differ considerably across Polish voivodeships.•Self-reported religious behaviors are not consistently associated with religious practices or criticism of socially undesirable behaviors.•Social and professional status, as well as traditions are strongly correlated with the frequency of religious practices.•Religious involvement is not significantly correlated with sustainable social development (main criterion), but it is bound by positive correlations with indirect criteria and selected indicators.•Hellwig's method is a useful tool for analyzing religious involvement, public moral norms, and sustainable social development.