Searching for comfort in religion: insecurity and religious behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy

The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on the lives of many is indisputable. Among the possible strategies to cope with the feeling of insecurity that comes with this, religion can play a significant role. Using first-hand data from the ResPOnsE COVID-19 rolling cross-section survey, this article shows that Italian people who reported a COVID-19 contagion in their family reported also higher religiosity both in terms of attendance at religious services (via web, radio and tv) and prayer during the pandemic. The result holds primarily for those who received religious socialization during their childhood, and this reinforces the role of family transmission as a way to shape religious beliefs and behaviours and to provide individuals with religious coping strategies. These findings suggest that under dramatic circumstances a short-term religious revival is possible, even in contexts where the process of secularization is ongoing.

Automated summary

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's lives, with religion playing a crucial role in coping with the resulting insecurity. Research shows that in Italy, individuals who experienced a COVID-19 contagion in their family showed higher religiosity, particularly influenced by childhood religious socialization. This suggests that even in the face of crisis, short-term religious revival is possible, highlighting the importance of family transmission in shaping religious beliefs and coping strategies.