Trends in value priorities across western Europe - a latent growth curve modeling

Abstract

In this paper, we explore trends in value priorities on a countrylevel across Western Europe using the Schwartz typology of personal values. We analyze the significance of the time effect as well as country-level differences in time effects on individual value priorities. We use latent growth curve modeling and data from the European Social Survey, including 12 countries (with more than 240,000 respondents) and ten time-points between 2002 and 2020. Results indicate insignificant time effects on tradition and stimulation, weak positive time effects on benevolence, universalism, self-direction, and hedonism, and weak negative effects on security, conformity, achievement, and power. Finally, the analysis of country-level differences indicates that the observed pattern is particularly pronounced in the Nordic countries. Generally, our evidence suggests relative stability of values and a slow cultural shift across Western Europe.