Neighborhoods and Neighbors: Do They Contribute to Personal Well-Being?

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Neighborhoods and Neighbors: Do They Contribute to Personal Well-Being?
Language: English
Authors: Farrell, Susan J., Aubry, Tim, Coulombe, Daniel
Source: Journal of Community Psychology. Jan 2004 32(1):9-25.
Availability: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Subscription Department, 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774. Tel: 800-825-7550; Tel: 201-748-6645; Fax: 201-748-6021; e-mail: subinfo@wiley.com; Web site: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/browse/?type=JOURNAL
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 17
Publication Date: 2004
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Neighborhoods, Marital Status, Burnout, Mail Surveys, Foreign Countries, Well Being, Correlation, Community Characteristics, Questionnaires
Geographic Terms: Canada
DOI: 10.1002/jcop.10082
ISSN: 0090-4392
Abstract: The present study examined the relationship between characteristics of neighborhoods (with set physical boundaries and relatively homogeneous populations) and personal well-being as mediated by sense of community and neighboring behavior. A randomly selected representative sample of 345 residents living in non-apartment dwellings in Winnipeg, Canada, completed a mail survey that included created measures of neighboring and sense of community and the General Health Questionnaire. Results demonstrated that sense of community mediates the relationship between neighborhood stability (as defined by the marital status and mobility) and residents' well-being. The frequency of engaging in neighboring behavior was not directly predictive of residents' sense of personal well-being, but was predictive of increased sense of community. Consistent with previous research, findings highlight the importance of building a sense of community among residents in a neighborhood. Implications of findings for neighborhood planning are discussed. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 43
Entry Date: 2012
Accession Number: EJ957794
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:The present study examined the relationship between characteristics of neighborhoods (with set physical boundaries and relatively homogeneous populations) and personal well-being as mediated by sense of community and neighboring behavior. A randomly selected representative sample of 345 residents living in non-apartment dwellings in Winnipeg, Canada, completed a mail survey that included created measures of neighboring and sense of community and the General Health Questionnaire. Results demonstrated that sense of community mediates the relationship between neighborhood stability (as defined by the marital status and mobility) and residents' well-being. The frequency of engaging in neighboring behavior was not directly predictive of residents' sense of personal well-being, but was predictive of increased sense of community. Consistent with previous research, findings highlight the importance of building a sense of community among residents in a neighborhood. Implications of findings for neighborhood planning are discussed. (Contains 2 tables and 2 figures.)
ISSN:0090-4392
DOI:10.1002/jcop.10082