Impact of Income Inequality on Fear of Crime: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis

Objective : to synthesize existing research to comprehensively understand the impact of income inequality on fear of crime, aiming at elucidating how economic disparities influence community security. Methods : qualitative methods, including comparative analysis and generalization, alongside the historical and genetic method, were employed. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar to aggregate peer-reviewed empirical studies. A random-effects model was used for calculating overall effect sizes, with study heterogeneity and moderating factors such as geographic location and urban versus rural settings assessed. Results : a moderate positive relationship between income inequality and fear of crime was unveiled, particularly pronounced in urban areas, based on a wide array of empirical data. Moderate study heterogeneity indicates context-dependent variability. The synthesis of findings underscores the significant role of income inequality in exacerbating fear of crime, highlighting a complex interplay between economic disparities and perceived community security. Scientific novelty : this study represents the first attempt to bridge the gap between theoretical assumptions of social disorganization and inequality theories with empirical evidence on the impact of income inequality on fear of crime, providing a comprehensive overview and highlighting discrepancies, patterns, and the overall strength of this association. Practical significance : the findings offer crucial insights for policymakers and community leaders in developing targeted interventions to mitigate fear of crime, emphasizing the necessity for policies that address economic disparities to enhance societal well-being. Additionally, it recommends further longitudinal research to explore the causal relationships and mechanisms underlying the association between income inequality and fear of crime, enriching the concepts of institutional economics concerning the limits and possibilities of institutional transformations in enhancing community security.