The Effect of Religiosity on Criminality: A Cross-National Comparative Study

• In Event: Cross-National Survey Data: Toward Explanations for Social Attitudes and Views on Crime

Abstract

Among factors of criminality, religiosity has often been investigated in a micro or individual level. In such an attempt, it appears important to consider macro-level factors such as the level of corruption, the maturity of democracy, etc. Few studies so far attempted the role of religiosity in criminality after controlling for macro-level factors especially in a cross-national scope. To fill this void, this study assessed the effect of religiosity after controlling for individual and national level factors of criminality by using the World Value Survey data collected from 60 countries. Suggestions for policies and future research will be discussed based on the results.

Authors

• Myeonggi Hong, Kyonggi University

• Cha Yoojung, Kyonggi University

• EuiGab Hwang, Kyonggi University