Determinants of fear of crime in Brazil: The effect of social cohesion

Doriam Borges; Ignácio Cano

doi:10.15448/1984-7289.2021.3.35603

Authors

Doriam Borges Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2109-6534
Ignácio Cano Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5822-112X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15448/1984-7289.2021.3.35603

Keywords:

Fear of crime, Social cohesion, Victimization, Crime, Feeling of insecurity

Abstract

While some studies suggest that the nature of one´s interactions with the community influences one’s perceived risk of criminal victimization, only a few pieces of research have tested this association in Brazil. Using four previously existing Brazilian victimization surveys, we conducted logistic models to examine whether social ties and social cohesion are associated with perceived risk and fear of crime. The results showed that only in some contexts did social cohesion manifest an association with fear of crime. Specifically, two components of social cohesion may be relevant for this purpose: trusting neighbours and getting help; and the ability to distinguish neighbours from strangers in the street.

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Author Biographies

Doriam Borges, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Doutor em Sociologia pelo Instituto Universitário de Pesquisas do Rio de Janeiro (Iuperj) da Universidade Cândido Mendes (Ucam), no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil; professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Sociais, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Ignácio Cano, Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

Doutor em Sociologia pela Universidade Complutense de Madrid (UCM), em Madrid, Espanha; professor do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Sociais da Universidade Estadual do Rio de Janeiro (Uerj), no Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.

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