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A Structural Equation Model Estimation of the Role of Social Vulnerability as a Predictor of People’s Feelings of Unsafety

Author

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  • Riccardo Valente

    (Open University of Catalona)

  • Sergi Valera Pertegas

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Joan Guàrdia Olmos

    (University of Barcelona)

Abstract

People’s perception of insecurity is linked to a wide range of factors and up-to-date sources stress the impact of socially constructed concerns on feelings of unsafety. Building further on recent developments, the present research proposes a measure of social vulnerability focusing on future-oriented anxieties and self-perceived social exclusion as predictors of subjective perceptions of insecurity. Data gathered in a large-scale survey in Italy (N = 15,428) were analysed by implementing structural equation modeling in an attempt to address people’s vulnerability beyond the mere consideration of the likelihood of individuals’ involvement as the victims of a crime. The results provide evidence for the predictive role of social vulnerability on neighbourhood-based worries, victimization patterns and community cohesion. Moreover, the analysis show that health and financial precariousness, together with the perception of being marginalized or in some way excluded from society, may result in higher levels of subjective insecurity.

Suggested Citation

  • Riccardo Valente & Sergi Valera Pertegas & Joan Guàrdia Olmos, 2019. "A Structural Equation Model Estimation of the Role of Social Vulnerability as a Predictor of People’s Feelings of Unsafety," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 143(2), pages 433-449, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:143:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-018-2004-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-018-2004-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Swatt, Marc L. & Varano, Sean P. & Uchida, Craig D. & Solomon, Shellie E., 2013. "Fear of crime, incivilities, and collective efficacy in four Miami neighborhoods," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 41(1), pages 1-11.
    2. Rader, Nicole E. & Cossman, Jeralynn S. & Porter, Jeremy R., 2012. "Fear of crime and vulnerability: Using a national sample of Americans to examine two competing paradigms," Journal of Criminal Justice, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 134-141.
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    Cited by:

    1. Francisco Javier Blanco-Encomienda & Elena Rosillo-Díaz, 2021. "Quantitative evaluation of the production and trends in research applying the structural equation modelling method," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 126(2), pages 1599-1617, February.

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