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The mobility experience and neighborhood attachment
1Department of Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA. marcb@u.washington.cdu
Demography
|May 1, 1997
Summary
Neighborhood attachment is influenced by the moving experience, not just how long someone lives somewhere. Factors like migration history and moving motivations impact attachment, suggesting a need to explore psychosocial elements beyond demographics.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Urban Studies
- Environmental Psychology
Background:
- Understanding neighborhood attachment is crucial for community cohesion and urban planning.
- Traditional research often focuses on residential stability and socioeconomic factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how the experience of moving influences an individual's attachment to their neighborhood.
- To identify specific aspects of the mobility experience that predict neighborhood attachment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1978-1979 Seattle Community Attachment Survey.
- Analyzed variables related to an individual's most recent residential move.
- Assessed the impact of mobility experience on short- and long-term neighborhood attachment.
Main Results:
- Mobility experience variables (migration history, moving motivations, time, distance) significantly predict neighborhood attachment.
- These effects are independent of residential stability and investment predictors.
- Psychosocial factors like environmental familiarity, pre-move exposure, and perceived control influence post-move attitudes.
Conclusions:
- The process of moving, not just duration of residence, shapes neighborhood attachment.
- Psychosocial factors play a significant role in post-move neighborhood attitudes and behaviors.
- Future research should explore beyond "types of people" to understand urban neighborhood attachment.