Unaffiliated spirituality and social engagement
Single Wave Study
General Information
Title
Unaffiliated spirituality and social engagement
Project Number
32
Abstract
The main objectives of this survey are:
1. to
investigate the conceptions and associations of ‘spirituality’ amongst the
Dutch population;
2. to find out if there are types or aspects of unaffiliated spirituality that are related to different degrees of social engagement
3. and to test findings from qualitative research about unaffiliated spirituality (and social engagement) in a quantitative way.
2. to find out if there are types or aspects of unaffiliated spirituality that are related to different degrees of social engagement
3. and to test findings from qualitative research about unaffiliated spirituality (and social engagement) in a quantitative way.
Longitudinal Type
Single Wave Study
Topics
Researcher
Berghuijs, Joantine
Publisher
CentERdata
Copyright
© 2009 CentERdata
Funding Organization
CentERdata/MESS Project
DOI
https://doi.org/10.17026/dans-25q-xse2
Datasets and documentation
View Documentation
Codebook, in English
Codebook, in Dutch (original version)
Data Files
English SPSS file
English STATA file
Variables
| Variable name | Variable Label | Variable Type |
|---|---|---|
| nomem_encr | Number of household member encrypted | preloaded |
| bh09a_m | Month and year of field work | constructed |
| bh09a001 | performed voluntary work for an organization for humanitarian aid, human rights, minorities, or migrants | preloaded |
| bh09a002 | performed voluntary work for an organization for environmental protection, peace, or animal rights | preloaded |
| bh09a003 | relationship to person receiving informal care | preloaded |
| bh09a004 | My own happiness strongly depends on the happiness of the people around me. | directly measured |
| bh09a005 | I am willing to do my family members a favor, even if it involves something that I personally detest. | directly measured |
| bh09a006 | I generally sacrifice my own interest for the interests of the group to which I belong. | directly measured |
| bh09a007 | I enjoy situations in which I can compete with others. | directly measured |
| bh09a008 | I care deeply about the well-being of my colleagues. | directly measured |
| bh09a009 | I like being unique and differing from others on many counts. | directly measured |
| bh09a010 | Children should feel honored if their parents are awarded an important distinction. | directly measured |
| bh09a011 | I often do ‘my own thing’. | directly measured |
| bh09a012 | Competition is the natural way of the world. | directly measured |
| bh09a013 | If a colleague were to win a prize, I would feel proud. | directly measured |
| bh09a014 | I am a unique individual. | directly measured |
| bh09a015 | I would give up doing something that I enjoy if my family members were to disapprove of it. | directly measured |
| bh09a016 | You can’t have a healthy society without competition. | directly measured |
| bh09a017 | I feel good when working together with others. | directly measured |
| bh09a018 | I don’t feel very involved with people living on the other side of the globe. | directly measured |
| bh09a019 | I find it hard to donate to goals that do not benefit me. | directly measured |
| bh09a020 | Society is under threat because people are increasingly indifferent to each other. | directly measured |
| bh09a021 | The earth’s climate problem is grossly exaggerated. | directly measured |
| bh09a022 | The world needs responsible citizens. | directly measured |
| bh09a023 | I often think: ‘Live today, worry tomorrow’. | directly measured |
| bh09a024 | I donate to social goals, regardless of what the government or corporate sector does. | directly measured |
| bh09a025 | People constitute a community. | directly measured |
| bh09a026 | We must pass the world on to the next generation in a good state. | directly measured |
| bh09a027 | I do not feel responsible for the well-being of society. | directly measured |
| bh09a028 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To be appreciated | directly measured |
| bh09a029 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To treat others more lovingly | directly measured |
| bh09a030 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To develop skills | directly measured |
| bh09a031 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To improve my CV | directly measured |
| bh09a032 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To let go of my ego | directly measured |
| bh09a033 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To meet like-minded people | directly measured |
| bh09a034 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To meet friends or acquaintances | directly measured |
| bh09a035 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To acquire useful contacts | directly measured |
| bh09a036 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To receive (a small) remuneration | directly measured |
| bh09a037 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - Devotion to God / a higher power | directly measured |
| bh09a038 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - Devotion to a universal force | directly measured |
| bh09a039 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - To contribute to improving society | directly measured |
| bh09a040 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - No special reason | directly measured |
| bh09a041 | For what reason or purpose do or did you engage in these activities? - Other | directly measured |
| bh09a042 | What other reason or goal do you mean? | directly measured |
| bh09a043 | What do you take spirituality to mean? | directly measured |
| bh09a044 | I am spiritually inclined. | directly measured |
| bh09a045 | I am religiously inclined. | directly measured |
| bh09a046 | I consider myself part of a religious, spiritual or life-philosophy group. | directly measured |
| bh09a047 | I am actively involved with a religious, spiritual or life-philosophy organization. | directly measured |
| bh09a048 | Do you regularly visit (once in 2 months or more frequently) a religious or spiritual gathering? | directly measured |
| bh09a049 | Did you participate in any course or workshop regarding religion or spirituality, in the last 12 months? | directly measured |
| bh09a050 | Do you personally give courses or workshops regarding religion or spirituality? | directly measured |
| bh09a051 | Are you involved in any discussion group about religious or spiritual topics? | directly measured |
| bh09a052 | Are you active in any Internet forum about religious or spiritual topics? | directly measured |
| bh09a053 | Are your best friends religiously or spiritually inclined? | directly measured |
| bh09a054 | To what extent do you find it important to strive to develop your higher or deeper Self? | directly measured |
| bh09a055 | To what extent do you find it important to strive to try to rediscover your divine origin? | directly measured |
| bh09a056 | To what extent do you find it important to strive to work on expanding your consciousness? | directly measured |
| bh09a057 | To what extent do you find it important to strive to seek to become more intuitive and sensitive? | directly measured |
| bh09a058 | To what extent do you find it important to strive to seek a balance between body and spirit? | directly measured |
| bh09a059 | To what extent do you find it important to strive to discover and develop your hidden talents? | directly measured |
| bh09a060 | There is a power or vital energy that binds us all together. | directly measured |
| bh09a061 | We are all part of a larger consciousness. | directly measured |
| bh09a062 | Everything is energy. | directly measured |
| bh09a063 | Everything is connected with everything. | directly measured |
| bh09a064 | All answers can be found within yourself. | directly measured |
| bh09a065 | You should rely on your inner voice. | directly measured |
| bh09a066 | It is important to pursue self-knowledge. | directly measured |
| bh09a067 | Self-knowledge is knowledge of God/the divine. | directly measured |
| bh09a068 | Personal insight, based on inner experience, is the only thing you should listen to. | directly measured |
| bh09a069 | Each one of us has a unique role to fulfill on this earth. | directly measured |
| bh09a070 | It is good to experiment with the wisdom and practices handed down by different traditions, to see what works best for you. | directly measured |
| bh09a071 | There are many sources of wisdom on which we can draw. | directly measured |
| bh09a072 | You can combine different truths and practices to create what suits you best. | directly measured |
| bh09a073 | There are many paths of wisdom, but they all radiate from the same eternal source. | directly measured |
| bh09a074 | Each of us has his or her own truth. | directly measured |
| bh09a075 | All truths are relative. | directly measured |
| bh09a076 | You should not argue about other people’s truths. | directly measured |
| bh09a077 | I am never entirely sure about the truth that I believe in. | directly measured |
| bh09a078 | Every acquired insight is provisional. | directly measured |
| bh09a079 | In my experience, questions play a more significant role than answers. | directly measured |
| bh09a080 | I feel that it is very important to continue to seek deeper insights. | directly measured |
| bh09a081 | Doubts and uncertainties are often very valuable to me. | directly measured |
| bh09a082 | The experience of a personal crisis contributes significantly to my obtaining deeper insights and ideas. | directly measured |
| bh09a083 | In our daily life, we should be more aware of nature’s cycles. | directly measured |
| bh09a084 | I feel attracted to forms of nature worship. | directly measured |
| bh09a085 | Magical rituals can bring you into contact with the Goddess. | directly measured |
| bh09a086 | I feel attracted to wicca, druidism, or shamanism. | directly measured |
| bh09a087 | Today we are on the threshold of a new era. | directly measured |
| bh09a088 | Mankind is currently undergoing a profound change in consciousness. | directly measured |
| bh09a089 | Major changes await us, since we are entering the age of Aquarius. | directly measured |
| bh09a090 | The past is not as important as the present. | directly measured |
| bh09a091 | There is no point in trying to predict the future. | directly measured |
| bh09a092 | I do not have any special notions about the future. | directly measured |
| bh09a093 | The point is to live as well as you can in the here-and-now. | directly measured |
| bh09a094 | Living well first of all means living mindfully. | directly measured |
| bh09a095 | I do not attach much importance to this life and this world. | directly measured |
| bh09a096 | I am mainly concerned with the hereafter (life after death). | directly measured |
| bh09a097 | I am mainly concerned with my development through successive lives (reincarnation). | directly measured |
| bh09a098 | I am mainly concerned with attaining a different level of consciousness. | directly measured |
| bh09a099 | Churches present a wrong image of Jesus. | directly measured |
| bh09a100 | Jesus made secret knowledge public. | directly measured |
| bh09a101 | It is not important whether Jesus really did rise from the dead. | directly measured |
| bh09a102 | We must seek the birth of Christ within ourselves. | directly measured |
| bh09a103 | I am convinced of the medicinal power of gems and crystals. | directly measured |
| bh09a104 | I am convinced of the effectiveness of reiki. | directly measured |
| bh09a105 | I am convinced that it is possible to retrieve memories of a former life. | directly measured |
| bh09a106 | I am convinced of the existence of chakras (invisible energy centers in our body). | directly measured |
| bh09a107 | I am convinced that astrology and horoscopes can provide us with valuable insights. | directly measured |
| bh09a108 | I am convinced that laying Tarot cards can provide us with valuable insights. | directly measured |
| bh09a109 | I am convinced that angels exist, or other invisible creatures that can help us. | directly measured |
| bh09a110 | I am convinced that it is possible to contact people that have died. | directly measured |
| bh09a111 | Which statement most resembles your own conviction? | directly measured |
| bh09a112 | One or more of these beliefs have an impact on my daily life. | directly measured |
| bh09a113 | One or more of these beliefs have an impact on important decisions I must make. | directly measured |
| bh09a114 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through my parents/guardians | directly measured |
| bh09a115 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through my teachers | directly measured |
| bh09a116 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through inspiring leaders | directly measured |
| bh09a117 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through friends | directly measured |
| bh09a118 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through clairvoyants/mediums | directly measured |
| bh09a119 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through books/magazines/newspapers | directly measured |
| bh09a120 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through Internet | directly measured |
| bh09a121 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - through television programs | directly measured |
| bh09a122 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - by personal discovery through inner experiences | directly measured |
| bh09a123 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - by personal discovery in nature | directly measured |
| bh09a124 | How did you acquire these beliefs about the meaning of life? - other | directly measured |
| bh09a125 | In what other way did you acquire those beliefs? | directly measured |
| bh09a126 | I experience an inner force. | directly measured |
| bh09a127 | I experience my life as valuable. | directly measured |
| bh09a128 | My life has a purpose. | directly measured |
| bh09a129 | I feel connected to other people, even if they are very different to me. | directly measured |
| bh09a130 | I experience connectedness with all life around me. | directly measured |
| bh09a131 | I feel strongly connected to nature. | directly measured |
| bh09a132 | Nature helps me connect to deeper dimensions within myself. | directly measured |
| bh09a133 | I have my most intense experiences in nature. | directly measured |
| bh09a134 | An experience concerning the presence of God / the divine / a higher power. | directly measured |
| bh09a135 | A sense of connectedness to God / the divine / a higher power. | directly measured |
| bh09a136 | A sense of connectedness with a universal force. | directly measured |
| bh09a137 | An experience in which I seemed to become part of a power or force greater than myself. | directly measured |
| bh09a138 | A concurrence of events in my life which made me feel: this cannot be a coincidence. | directly measured |
| bh09a139 | An experience of receiving help in response to my prayer. | directly measured |
| bh09a140 | An experience in which the nature of reality became clear to me. | directly measured |
| bh09a141 | An experience in which all things seemed part of a larger whole. | directly measured |
| bh09a142 | An experience in which everything seemed perfect. | directly measured |
| bh09a143 | An experience of being outside my own body. | directly measured |
| bh09a144 | Seeing a dead person or another experience of contact with a dead person. | directly measured |
| bh09a145 | A recollection of a former life. | directly measured |
| bh09a146 | A contact with a ‘guide’ or inner voice. | directly measured |
| bh09a147 | An experience of an invisible power that, in one way or another, offered me council, advice or guidance. | directly measured |
| bh09a148 | One or more of these experiences have an impact on my daily life. | directly measured |
| bh09a149 | One or more of these experiences have an impact on important decisions I must make. | directly measured |
| bh09a150 | Yoga | directly measured |
| bh09a151 | Tai Chi | directly measured |
| bh09a152 | Meditation | directly measured |
| bh09a153 | Prayer | directly measured |
| bh09a154 | Breathing exercises | directly measured |
| bh09a155 | Acupuncture | directly measured |
| bh09a156 | Reiki | directly measured |
| bh09a157 | How much time do you spend on average per week on practicing these activities, all combined? - number of hours | directly measured |
| bh09a158 | How much time do you spend on average per week on practicing these activities, all combined? - number of minutes | directly measured |
| bh09a159 | Dream interpretation | directly measured |
| bh09a160 | Consulting Tarot cards | directly measured |
| bh09a161 | Consulting the I Ching | directly measured |
| bh09a162 | Consulting your horoscope | directly measured |
| bh09a163 | Visiting a fortune-teller | directly measured |
| bh09a164 | Visiting a medium | directly measured |
| bh09a165 | Visiting a paranormal fair | directly measured |
| bh09a166 | How much time do you spend on average per week on practicing these activities, all combined? - number of hours | directly measured |
| bh09a167 | How much time do you spend on average per week on practicing these activities, all combined? - number of minutes | directly measured |
| bh09a168 | One or more of these activities have an impact on my daily life. | directly measured |
| bh09a169 | One or more of these activities have an impact on important decisions I must make. | directly measured |
| bh09a170 | For what reason or purpose do you practice these activities? - To improve my health | directly measured |
| bh09a171 | To work on relationship issues | directly measured |
| bh09a172 | To find rest and relaxation | directly measured |
| bh09a173 | To acquire special experiences | directly measured |
| bh09a174 | To develop special powers | directly measured |
| bh09a175 | To meet like-minded people | directly measured |
| bh09a176 | To find out who I truly am | directly measured |
| bh09a177 | To give direction to my life | directly measured |
| bh09a178 | To learn to deal more effectively with problems in my life | directly measured |
| bh09a179 | To learn to treat others more lovingly | directly measured |
| bh09a180 | To develop life wisdom | directly measured |
| bh09a181 | To surrender my ego | directly measured |
| bh09a182 | To function better in society | directly measured |
| bh09a183 | Devotion to God / a higher power | directly measured |
| bh09a184 | Devotion to a universal force | directly measured |
| bh09a185 | To contribute to improving society | directly measured |
| bh09a186 | Other reason | directly measured |
| bh09a187 | What other reason do you mean? | directly measured |
| bh09a188 | I am involved with one or more nature or environment organizations. | directly measured |
| bh09a189 | I donate money to one or more nature or environment organizations. | directly measured |
| bh09a190 | I try to restrict my use of packaging materials. | directly measured |
| bh09a191 | I prefer to buy foodstuffs produced in the Netherlands. | directly measured |
| bh09a192 | I am a vegetarian on account of environmental considerations. | directly measured |
| bh09a193 | I have introduced energy-efficient modifications in my home on account of environmental considerations. | directly measured |
| bh09a194 | I do not travel by air on account of environmental considerations. | directly measured |
| bh09a195 | I do not own a car on account of environmental considerations. | directly measured |
| bh09a196 | Happinez | directly measured |
| bh09a197 | Onkruid | directly measured |
| bh09a198 | ParaVisie | directly measured |
| bh09a199 | Bres | directly measured |
| bh09a200 | Can you name a book that has been of particular help in finding your way through life? - author | directly measured |
| bh09a201 | Can you name a book that has been of particular help in finding your way through life? - title | directly measured |
| bh09a202 | Has completing this questionnaire influenced your ideas about spirituality? | directly measured |
| bh09a203 | Was it difficult to answer the questions? | directly measured |
| bh09a204 | Were the questions sufficiently clear? | directly measured |
| bh09a205 | Did the questionnaire get you thinking about things? | directly measured |
| bh09a206 | Was it an interesting subject? | directly measured |
| bh09a207 | Did you enjoy answering the questions? | directly measured |
| bh09a208 | Starting date questionnaire | constructed |
| bh09a209 | Starting time questionnaire | constructed |
| bh09a210 | End date questionnaire | constructed |
| bh09a211 | End time questionnaire | constructed |
| bh09a212 | duration in seconds | derived |
Response Information
Response Overview
Response:Selected number of household members: 4.402 (100%)Non-response: 1.780 (40.4%)
Actual response: 2.622 (59.6%)
Complete: 2.590
Incomplete: 32
Collection Events
Period
05-10-2009 to 28-10-2009
Sample
Random sample of 4.402 panel members
Collection Mode
internet survey
Fieldwork Note
a reminder was twice sent to non-respondents by e-mail
Publications
Nieuwe Spiritualiteit en Sociale Betrokkenheid Psyche & Geloof, 27(1), pp. 11-29; Berghuijs, J.
New Spirituality and Social Engagement PhD thesis, Utrecht University, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies (Quaestiones Infinitae, 79); Berghuijs, J.
Nieuwe Spiritualiteit en Sociale Betrokkenheid Religie en Samenleving, 9 (3), pp. 181-210; Berghuijs, J.
Conceptions of Spirituality among the Dutch Population Archive for the Psychology of Religion, 35(3), pp. 369-398; Berghuijs, J.
et al.
Being 'Spiritual' and Being 'Religious' in Europe: Diverging Life Orientations Journal of Contemporary Religion 28(1), pp. 15-32; Berghuijs, J.
et al.
New Spirituality and Social Engagement Journal of Scientific Study of Religion, 52(4), pp. 775-792; Berghuijs, J
et al.
Naturally, gas free: Using socio-demographic data to optimize civic-engagement in the Dutch heat transition Utrecht University; Massop, M.
Religie in een pluriforme samenleving Sociaal Cultureel Planbureau, August 2022; de Hart, J.,
et al.