Title:
Determinants of parishioner satisfaction: a study of Roman Catholics in Baltimore City
Author:
Francis M. Sweeney
Committee Member:
Mark Peyrot
Committee Member:
Ann Hohmann
Committee Member:
John Gartner
Degree Granting Institution:
Loyola University Maryland--College of Arts and Sciences
Place:
Baltimore (Md.)
Publisher:
Loyola University Maryland
Date Created:
1989
Type of Resource:
text
Genre:
thesis
Language:
eng
Format:
application/pdf
Physical Form:
electronic
Digital Source:
reformatted digital
Abstract:
Five thousand, two hundred and ninety-two subjects from 28 Catholic parishes in central city Baltimore were studied in order to develop a demographic profile of those who rate their parish most positively and to identify those areas of positive parish experience that best predict overall parish satisfaction. The five areas (constructs) studied were Pastor, impact, Inclusion, Involvement, and parish Outreach. A series of One Way Anovas comparing demographic characteristics with the five constructs and overall satisfaction revealed significantly greater satisfaction with the parish for members (more than non-members) p less than .01, frequent attenders p less than .01, the elderly p less than .01, widows p less than .01, and those with less than a college education p less than .01. The demographic variables were also tested in a regression analysis with each of the five constructs, and with one exception -- Involvement-- failed to account for more than 10% of the variance in each construct. The Involvement scale, with 39% of its variance explained, was the best model among the scales for predicting positive attitudes. In a discriminant analysis, all of the demographic variables and the five constructs were tested to determine which variables contribute most to distinguishing between very satisfied parishioners and those who are less satisfied and/or dissatisfied. Results showed that the constructs were significantly better predictors of overall satisfaction than the demographic variables. A positive rating of parish impact was by far the leading predictor, followed by positive attitude toward the pastor (half as strong). This study offers a beginning model for studying parish satisfaction based on ratings of key parish experiences and confirms earlier studies that the traditional demographic variables used in religious research do not significantly discriminate between satisfied and non-satisfied parishioners.
Subject:
Catholics--Maryland--Baltimore
Subject:
Laity--Catholic Church
Subject:
Parishes--Maryland--Baltimore
Subject:
Catholics
Subject:
Membership requirements
Subject:
Parishes
Subject:
Maryland--Baltimore
Subject:
Catholic Church--Membership
Subject:
Catholic Church
Subject:
Sociology, Christian (Catholic)
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Level:
Doctoral
Discipline:
Pastoral Counseling
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Identifier:
SweeneyFM-89
