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01-06-2013 | Original Investigation

Fear of crime in old age: precautious behaviour and its relation to situational fear

Authors: Cathleen Kappes, Werner Greve, Sabine Hellmers

Published in: European Journal of Ageing | Issue 2/2013

Abstract

This study aimed to provide further insight into the question of why older adults show a higher precautionary behaviour regarding crime (behavioural fear), although they do not estimate their victimisation risk as higher than young adults and they do not experience fear more often. In two cross-sectional studies, the hypothesis was tested that the age-related increase in precautionary behaviour is an expression of higher dispositional fear with age. The vignette technique was employed to induce situational fear of crime across various situations as a proxy for dispositional fear. In contrast to the hypothesis, in Study 1 (young: 18–30 years, N = 179 vs. middle-aged: 50–64 years, N = 106), only younger adults reported higher situational fear in two vignettes. In Study 2 (young: 18–30 years, N = 129 vs. young-old: 65–84 years, N = 114), younger adults indicated higher situational fear again; however, young-old adults reported higher situational fear in other vignettes. The findings suggest that there is no general increase in the intensity of situational fear of crime with age and thus no age-related change in dispositional fear. Moreover, situational fear did not serve as mediator in the relationship between age and precautionary behaviour. Alternative accounts for the increase in behavioural fear of crime are discussed as well as emotion regulation mechanisms in response to the induction method.

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Title: Fear of crime in old age: precautious behaviour and its relation to situational fear
Authors: Cathleen Kappes
Werner Greve
Sabine Hellmers
Publication date: 01-06-2013
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Published in: European Journal of Ageing / Issue 2/2013
Print ISSN: 1613-9372
Electronic ISSN: 1613-9380
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10433-012-0255-3

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Fear of crime in old age: precautious behaviour and its relation to situational fear

Abstract

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

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