Masters Theses

Date of Award

5-1994

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Child and Family Studies

Major Professor

Julia A. Malia

Committee Members

Schuyler Huck, Delores Smith, Connie Steele

Abstract

The present study investigated children's and mothers' perceptions of their high-risk neighborhoods. Forty-nine children and 24 mothers were interviewed using the Neighborhood Perception Interview (NPI). The mothers were also given the Social Support Index (SSI) and the Adult Nowicki-Strickland Internal-External Control Scale. The SSI measures perceived level of social support, while the ANSIE assesses whether or not persons perceive an internal or external locus of control to be the stronger in their lives. The results of the study revealed that (a) children often described their neighborhoods in the same manner as their mothers' and (b) a significant positive relationship existed between perceived social support and perception of the neighborhood. The themes described by both children and mothers included important descriptions of the activities of drug dealers, adults, and children in the neighborhood. Gender differences were observed. Boys mentioned fear of more violent crimes (getting shot or physically assaulted). Girls more often discussed crimes involving victimization (being sexually assaulted or kidnapped). This study supported previous findings that social support can have a positive impact on adults' perceptions of their neighborhood and that parents and their childrens' perceptions have an impact on each other. The study also added to the literature descriptions of what mothers and their children fear most often in their high-risk neighborhood.\

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