Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2009):

Socio-demographic correlates of fear of crime and the social context of contemporary urban China.

Full Abstract

Previous research in the West has established major socio-demographic correlates of fear of crime. The interpretation of these correlates is typically based on the concept of physical or social vulnerability of individuals. These correlates are implicitly regarded as invariant to social or community contexts, reflecting universal human behavioral patterns. The present study argues that social change may alter patterns of perceptions associated with fear among socio-demographic groups, thus affecting socio-demographic correlates of fear of crime. We explore how social changes in China have created a generational gap that influences the effects of age and education on fear of crime. The study finds that, in contrast with the well-established patterns in Western communities, the young and educated exhibit a higher level of fear of crime in urban China than their counterparts. The study also finds that consistent with Western literature, females are fearful and that personal victimization experience increases the level of fear. We discuss the social and community processes that produce these interesting patterns.

Author information

Author/s: Liu, Jianhong (J); Messner, Steven F (SF); Zhang, Lening (L); Zhuo, Yue (Y);

Affiliation: Southwest University of Political Science and Law, Chongqing, China. jliu(-atsign-)umac.mo

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

Journal: American journal of community psychology (Am J Community Psychol), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Sep; vol 44 (issue 1-2) : pp 93-108

Dates: Created 2009/07/24; Completed 2009/11/04;

PMID: 19554444, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/4/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent Adult China Crime - psychology Fear Female Humans Male

Middle Aged Models, Statistical Psychology, Social Questionnaires Social Change Social Class Urban Population Young Adult

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