Abstract
With a sample of Italians selected from 71 Italian counties (N = 1,868), we performed two multilevel analyses aimed at predicting the perceived risk of crime at local (i.e., in the participants’
county of residence) and at societal (i.e., in the context of Italian society) levels. A significant proportion of the variation
in local risk perception was at the county level. The following individual variables predicted higher levels of this variable:
indirect victimization, the perception of social and physical disorder, being a woman, being poorly educated, and being an
older person. Among the ecological predictors, the crime rate and unemployment rate predicted higher levels of local crime
risk perception, while the immigrant rate did not. Perceived risk of crime at the societal level did not show significant
variation at the county level. Education, being a man, trusting people, and adhesion to post-materialistic values predicted
lower levels of societal crime risk perception, while number of sons/daughters and exposure to television news increased it.
The limitations and possible development of this study are discussed.
county of residence) and at societal (i.e., in the context of Italian society) levels. A significant proportion of the variation
in local risk perception was at the county level. The following individual variables predicted higher levels of this variable:
indirect victimization, the perception of social and physical disorder, being a woman, being poorly educated, and being an
older person. Among the ecological predictors, the crime rate and unemployment rate predicted higher levels of local crime
risk perception, while the immigrant rate did not. Perceived risk of crime at the societal level did not show significant
variation at the county level. Education, being a man, trusting people, and adhesion to post-materialistic values predicted
lower levels of societal crime risk perception, while number of sons/daughters and exposure to television news increased it.
The limitations and possible development of this study are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- DOI 10.1007/s10464-010-9386-x
- Authors
- Silvia Russo, Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Michele Roccato, Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Via Verdi 10, 10124 Turin, Italy
- Alessio Vieno, Department of Developmental and Social Psychology, University of Padova, Via Belzoni 80, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Journal American Journal of Community Psychology
- Online ISSN 1573-2770
- Print ISSN 0091-0562