Construction and Validation of an Observational Scale of Neighborhood Characteristics |
| |
Authors: | James R McDonell Tracy J Waters |
| |
Institution: | (1) Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life, Clemson University, 225 S. Pleasantburg Dr., McAlister Square, Suite B11, Greenville, SC 29607, USA |
| |
Abstract: | This paper reports the development and validation of the Neighborhood Observation Scale, a 41 item measure of neighborhood
physical appearance, social appearance, safety, and amenities. Three independent ratings were collected on each of 244 neighborhoods
in 132 census block groups in five South Carolina counties, for a total of 732 observations. Inter-rater reliability analysis
showed 92.6% agreement among at least two raters and an intraclass correlation of .54, indicating acceptable reliability.
Exploratory factor analysis extracted eight factors for neighborhood physical appearance, school/park/public space physical
appearance, neighborhood social appearance, indicated social engagement, observed social engagement, park/public space social
engagement, resident watchfulness, and neighborhood safety risk. A follow-up confirmatory factor analysis supported the eight
factor structure. Reliability analysis produced alpha coefficients ranging from .55 to .94 for the eight factors, indicating
reliability for use as sub-scales. Convergent validity was determined by generally acceptable correlations of the factor sub-scales
with measures of neighborhood distress, rates of child maltreatment and ICD-9-CM coded child injuries, and resident perceptions
of neighboring, collective efficacy, reciprocal helping, and children’s safety in the home. Implications for research and
policy and program development are discussed. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|