Research

This continuation of the Study of Spirituality in the United States builds on the initial study conducted in 2020. Using the original questionnaire, this updated version includes new items seeking to uncover any shifts in how we, in the United States, articulate and embody our faith and spirituality, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At Fetzer, our "Community of Freedom" is at the heart of all that we do. For three hours each week, our full staff stops work and either together or individually cultivates their spiritual path—however they define it. We explore personal spiritual interests, share new ideas and work, build connections with teammates and partners, and learn about topics from emotional intelligence and mindfulness to spiritual parenting. We believe that providing the space to develop such a community will help us become a more effective organization by creating a culture of love and authenticity.

This study sought to better understand spirituality in the United States today by asking people about how they understand and experience spirituality for themselves, and how their spirituality relates to the way they engage with others and their community. This effort included people inside and outside religious institutions, those who consider themselves spiritual, and those who do not. The study comprises interviews, focus group conversations, and a statistically relevant national survey.

Published in October 2010, this report shares top findings from research the Fetzer Institute commissioned in an effort to learn more about where love and forgiveness are present in American life.

This publication is the product of a national working group that examined key dimensions of religiousness/spirituality as they relate to physical and mental health outcomes. Its 12 papers include brief literature reviews, recommended instruments, and bibliographies for each of the 12 identified domains. Also included is the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality, an instrument substantially based on select questions from each domain.

At a time when significant emphasis is placed on the issues that divide Americans, the Fetzer Institute's Survey of Love and Forgiveness in American Society reveals the commonalities that bind us together. The report uncovers the deeply held beliefs and attitudes individuals have about love, forgiveness, and their connection to the world beyond our borders. Published in October 2010, the Fetzer Institute commissioned the research in an effort to explore these complex topics that are central to its mission and to learn more about where love and forgiveness are present in American life.