Investigation of a Curvilinear Relationship: Perceived Neighborhood Safety and Social Interaction

This research examines the relationship between perceptions of neighborhood safety or crime and personal interaction occurring in the neighborhood context. Past research has assessed the linear relationship between sentiment concerning local crime and neighborhood interaction and has shown inconsistent findings. We have analyzed the relationship between the two variables and discovered a curvilinear relationship. At the lowest level of feelings of safety, the level of neighborhood interaction, measured by membership in neighborhood organizations, is at its peak. As perception of crime increases beyond this initial phase, interaction decreases to a point. As the perception of fear increases further, neighborhood interaction tends to increase once again. Beyond a certain threshold level, interaction appears to decrease. This finding indicates that there are two threshold levels. Initial phases are characterized by the lowest level of perceptions of safety in which people may primarily belong to neighborhood organizations in order to pursue their specific interests rather than those related to the crime issues. In the latter phases of this relationship, residents' reactions to crime tend to enhance the level of social integration. This research also demonstrates a methodology which can be utilized to identify curvilinear relationships.