Neighborhood crime and perception of safety as predictors of victimization and offending among youth: A call for macro-level prevention and intervention models

Abstract

This paper is one of two in a series that reports detailed findings from a larger study that simultaneously explored individual, family and neighborhood level predictors of victimization and offending among youth. The current analysis aims to identify which neighborhood level factors have better predictive power with regard to type of victimization (direct and vicarious measures) and total offending overtime (Wave 1 and Wave 2). Methods: Path analysis was conducted using data from a multi-wave, panel study (N=625) of youth ages 16–19 at Wave 1. A best fitting model was determined showing causal pathways from neighborhood level factors including crime and perception of safety, to direct and vicarious victimization through exposure to violence, and subsequent offending. Findings: Neighborhood crime significantly predicted property victimization. Neighborhood crime and perception of safety significantly predicted vicarious victimization by exposure to violence in the neighborhood. Neighborhood crime and perception of safety were significantly associated with Wave 1 offending. Findings highlight the need for professionals who work with youth to be cognizant of how their environments influence their lives. Prevention and intervention models seeking to create sustainable change among youth should consider mezzo and macro level components that build and strengthen neighborhood capacity through community partnerships.

Understanding the ecological context of mental, emotional, and behavioral health problems: A person‐centered approach

“…Although variable‐oriented methods consistently demonstrate that family, neighborhood, and poverty independently contribute to risk for adverse psychosocial outcomes (Evans & Kim, ; Hartinger‐Saunders et al., ; Marotta & Voisin, ), these contexts are understood to be interactional in nature; comprehending the totality of their effects requires moving beyond variable‐oriented methods. This simultaneous consideration of these contexts advances the literature by providing evidence of the differential effects youth experience.…”

“…Neighborhood crime in general is also linked to problems in adolescence (i.e., antisocial behavior, delinquency) and young adulthood, such as criminal offending (Hartinger‐Saunders, Rine, Nochajski, & Wieczorek, ). Neighborhood contexts may drive youth by default toward engagement with drugs and other substance use (Bellair & McNulty, ; Trucco, Colder, Wieczorek, Lengua, & Hawk, ; Winstanley et al., ).…”

It's in My Hood: Understanding African American Boys’ Perception of Safety in Their Neighborhoods

“…Youth who have supportive interactions with peers, parents, and other adults have a more positive worldview. On the other hand, violence in the immediate neighborhood shakes one's view of the world as a safe, fair place (Lynch & Cicchetti, ) and is linked to reduced feelings of safety (Hartinger‐Saunders, Rine, Nochajski, & Wieczorek, ). Social support and other elements of collective efficacy are protective for youth.…”

“…The structural and social deficits in these neighborhoods are signs of social disorder and low collective efficacy. Low levels of neighborhood cohesion make individuals easier targets for delinquent and criminal behaviors (Hartinger‐Saunders et al., ; Sampson et al., ) or for witnessing violence (Miller, Wasserman, Neugebauer, Gorman‐Smith, & Kamboukos, ). Other demographic factors (e.g., parent's education, household income, and child's age) are also related to exposure to violence (Eriksson, Cater, Andershed, & Andershed, ; Pardini, Loeber, Farrington, & Stouthamer–Loeber, ).…”

Classifying Residential Real Estate Based on Their Exposure to Crime: a Research Agenda

“…It is also through the study of juvenile practices that it is possible to understand that it is the combination of individual, family and social factors (e.g. racial issues and unfavorable economic conditions) that dictate, in part, the levels of crime in a residential area (Hartinger-Saunders et al 2012;Çaya 2014).…”