Social capital and neo-materialist contextual determinants of sense of insecurity in the neighbourhood: a multilevel analysis in Southern Sweden.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of contextual (social capital and neo-materialist) and individual factors on sense of insecurity in the neighbourhood.


METHODS
The 2000 public health survey in Scania is a cross-sectional study. A total of 13,715 persons answered a postal questionnaire, which is 59% of the random sample. A multilevel logistic regression model, with individuals at the first level and municipalities at the second, was performed. The effect (median odds ratios, intra-class correlation, cross-level modification and odds ratios) of individual and municipality/city quarter (social capital and police district) factors on sense of insecurity was analysed.


RESULTS
The crude variance between municipalities/city quarters was not affected by individual factors. The introduction of administrative police district in the model reduced the municipality variance, although some of the significant variance between municipalities remained. The introduction of social capital did not affect the municipality variance.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that the neo-materialist factor administrative police district may partly explain the individual's sense of insecurity in the neighbourhood.
Lindström
Martin
M
Department of Community Medicine, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, S-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. martin.lindstrom@smi.mas.lu.se
Lindström
Christine
C
Moghaddassi
Mahnaz
M
Merlo
Juan
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden