Individual and community factors affecting psychological sense of community, attraction, and neighboring in rural communities.
One thousand nine hundred ninety-five individuals in 20 rural Canadian communities were measured on perceived social cohesion by the three Buckner scale subdimensions: psychological sense of community (PSOC), attraction, and neighboring. Number of household children, income over $20,000, age, birthplace in, and years lived in the community significantly positively influenced PSOC and Attraction. Number of household children (positive for income over $20,000; otherwise negative), income over $40,000, birthplace, and years in the community significantly influenced neighboring. Increased interaction generally increases individuals' social cohesion. As the only significant community variable was being on an island province, individual-oriented policies are recommended to increase cohesion.
Wilkinson
Derek
D
Laurentian University, Department of Sociology, 935 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, ON P3E 2C6. DWilkinson@laurentian.ca
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005190:Family; D005843:Geography; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D009769:Object Attachment; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors