Perceived Risk of Victimization: Individual and Contextual Effects Revisited

Abstract

The purpose of the current analysis is to look at both individual and contextual predictors of perceived risk of victimization. Specifically, the present work builds directly on the contributions of Rountree and Land (1996) and goes beyond their work in several ways. The current work includes additional census tract measures and redefines a key concept index. Drawing upon routine activity theory, social disorganization theory, and social disorder theory, the current analysis includes individual, neighborhood, and census tract level predictors of perceived risk. Data collected on neighborhood characteristics and crime rates in Seattle, Washington in 1990 are used. Using a multi-stage sampling design, 5,302 individuals were surveyed. Multinomial logistic regression is used in this analysis. General support is found for routine activity theory, social disorganization theory, and social disorder theory. Most notable, however, support is found for including census tract level measures. Suggestions for future research are discussed.