Untangling Fear of Crime: A Multi-theoretical Approach to Examining the Causes of Crime-Specific Fear

Fear of crime has been a major research topic over the past several decades. However, multiple explanations have been proposed and no comprehensive theoretical model exists. In this study, we assess the predictive power of three theoretical models—vulnerability, disorder, and social integration—on offense type-specific, emotionally-based fear of violent and property crime. Results suggest that the predictors of fear of property and violent crime vary, and some theoretical models are a better explanation of one type of fear than the other. Overall, the models are a better fit with fear of violent crime than fear of property crime. The vulnerability model is more strongly related to fear of property crime, while the social integration model is more strongly related to fear of violent crime. Implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.