Relationships between Spirituality, Religious Fundamentalism and Environmentalism: The Mediating Role of Right-Wing Authoritarianism

Abstract

According to past research, religious attitudes can strongly influence individuals’ beliefs and behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationships between spirituality (the Scale of Spirituality; dimensions include religious spirituality, expanding consciousness, searching for meaning, sensitivity to art, doing good, and sensitivity to inner beauty), religious fundamentalism (the Religious Fundamentalism Scale), support for right-wing authoritarianism (the Right-Wing Authoritarianism Scale), climate concerns (the Environmental Concern Scale), and pro-environmental behavior (the Pro-Environmental Behavior Scale). The cross-sectional study involved 512 Poles aged 18–63 (M = 34.63, SD = 5.96; Mdn = 33), including 51% females. Multiple regression analysis revealed that two dimensions of spirituality (sensitivity to art and doing good) and religious fundamentalism are significant and opposite predictors of climate concern and pro-environmental behavior. Spirituality appeared to foster increased climate concern and caring behavior, while religious fundamentalism negatively predicted the same variables. Mediation analysis revealed that the relationship between religion and environmentalism could be explained in part by differences in support for right-wing authoritarianism (authoritarianism itself was negatively related to environmental outcomes). In addition, analysis of variance revealed that believers (70% of participants in the study were Catholic) showed significantly lower scores regarding climate concerns and pro-environmental behavior than non-believers, yet the inclusion of support for right-wing authoritarianism as a covariate in the equation reduced intergroup differences to statistical insignificance. The data obtained suggest that religious attitudes and socio-political views may play important roles in solving environmental problems.

Polish Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Long- and Short-Form Interfaith Spirituality Scale

“…Numerous studies have also ascertained that spirituality reduces stress, thereby contributing to reduced cardiovascular reactivity, hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activation, and inflammation, which may consequently improve health outcomes [ 64 ]. In the case of ecological behaviour, Skalski et al [ 15 ] noted that spirituality encourages the promotion of ecology through central educational and pro-social values. In the adaptation study, we also showed negative mean associations of spirituality with PTSD symptom severity and depressive symptoms, which also demonstrates the accuracy of the convergent Polish version of the IFS.…”

“…The tool includes 16 statements arranged into a single factor (α = 0.79) that identify behaviours related to recycling, energy and water conservation, shopping, and moving around. In the Polish version [ 15 ], the participant expresses their attitude toward each statement on a five-point Likert scale, where 1 = “ Definitely not ” and 5 = “ Definitely yes ”. Sample items include: “ Buying seasonal fruits/regional vegetables” and “ No car in household”.…”

“…Reports provide a range of evidence for the negative association of spirituality with psychopathology, depression, generalised anxiety, existential anxiety, and the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. On the other hand, authors have consistently highlighted positive associations of spirituality with mental and spiritual well-being, life satisfaction, resilience, positive affect, ecological behaviour, gratitude and awe, optimism or post-traumatic growth (PTG) [ 4 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. In a study by Kira et al [ 16 ], spirituality was also identified as being an effective strategy for coping with existential threats during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as a more effective method for coping with PTSD symptoms compared to other available methods such as social support, resilience, or the will to exist.…”

Positive religious coping acts through perception of nature and silence in its association with well-being and life satisfaction among Polish Catholics

“…In contrast, the perception of wondering awe is much higher in people with a spiritual/religious background and thus more frequent practices that may sensitize these individuals for these perceptions ( 38 , 59 ). According to Skalski, et al ( 70 ), spirituality reflects a personal relationship with the divine and thus positively predicts a sense of connection with nature. On the other hand, the literature on the relationship between religion and nature has been inconclusive ( 71 ).…”

“…On the other hand, the literature on the relationship between religion and nature has been inconclusive ( 71 ). Recent findings, however, indicate that religion can foster perceptions of nature, and any negative relationship between these variables is fully explained by religious fundamentalism and support for authoritarianism ( 70 ). We should also note that Pope Francis, as the leader of the Catholic Church, has pointed out in one of his encyclicals that it is necessary to combine concern for the environment with a sincere love of humanity and with an ongoing commitment to society's problems ( 72 ).…”