Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2003
Publication Title
Journal of Environmental Psychology
Abstract
Studies examining the effects of density and crowding on human social behaviour have produced inconsistent results. This paper argues that among the reasons for these varied findings are: (1) the failure of researchers to examine how the level of density in the wider contextual environment influences the nature of the relationship between household density and social behaviour; (2) the tendency of past studies to overlook the negative consequences of both very low and very high levels of density; and (3) a lack of research investigating whether multiple coping strategies to high-density environments may be invoked by a single individual. Data from the Toronto Mental Health and Stress study are analysed using hierarchical nonlinear modelling to assess the interaction between household and neighbourhood density effects on aggression and withdrawal. The results support the notion that the effects of density on aggressive and withdrawn behaviour are nonlinear in nature and that the impact of household density is conditional on neighbourhood density. The implications of these findings for future research on density are discussed.
Repository Citation
Regoeczi, Wendy C., "When Context Matters: A Multilevel Analysis of Household and" (2003). Sociology & Criminology Faculty Publications. 121.
https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/clsoc_crim_facpub/121
DOI
10.1016/S0272-4944(02)00106-8
Version
Postprint
Publisher's Statement
NOTICE: this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Environmental Psychology. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Environmental Psychology, 23(2003); doi:10.1016/S0272-4944(02)00106-8
Volume
23
