title: Fear of Crime: The Influence of General Fear, Risk, and Time Perspective.
abstract: Prior research on fear of crime has focused less on psychological causes than on sociological and demographic factors. This study, however, introduces time perspective (TP) as an important psychological variable in the understanding of fear of crime. Specifically, the article assesses the relationship between TP as a stable personality factor and the mediation of risk and general fear on fear of crime levels. Data were collected using the survey method from a sample of 375 respondents utilizing the following scales: Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) consisting of five TP subscales, Ferraro's perceived risk of victimization and fear of crime scales, and a general (non-crime) fear scale measuring pragmatic and abstract fear. Path analysis shows no significant direct relationships between the five TP subscales and fear of crime. However, indirect effects are observed for Past Negative TP and Present Fatalistic TP, with general fear (pragmatic and abstract) and risk of victimization mediating the relationship, and pragmatic fear having the greatest significant effect size. Results are discussed in the context of risk and general fear sensitivity and construal level theory. We conclude with recommendations for future research.
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of the West Indies-St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chadee
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of the West Indies-St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: Nikita K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Ng Ying
authors.affiliation: 1 The University of the West Indies-St. Augustine Campus, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chadee
authors.affiliation: 2 Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heath
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003415:Crime / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000069581:Exposure to Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D014300:Trinidad and Tobago; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
keywords: community violence; criminology; cultural contexts