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Associations Between Objective and Self-Report Measures of Traffic and Crime Safety in Latino Parents of Preschool Children

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Abstract

Differences in subjective and objective safety may be explained by moderators that shape parental perceptions of the environment. This study examined associations between subjective and objective measures of traffic and crime safety in preschool parents (N = 240) and potential moderators. Community cohesion, social control, and physical activity parenting practices were measured. Objective measures of crime and traffic were measured at the block-group level. Linear models revealed perceived traffic was negatively associated with the traffic hazards (b = −0.03; 95 % CI: −0.05, −0.01; p = .041). Acculturation moderated the relationship between perceptions of disorder and crime (b = 0.001; 95 % CI: 0.000, 0.003; p = .044). Poor community cohesion moderated the relationship between perceptions of disorder and crime (b = 0.0015; 95 % CI: 0.0002, 0.0028; p = .028). Perceived traffic safety was associated with the traffic hazard index in parents of boys (b = −0.04; 95 % CI: −0.07, −0.01; p = .027). Acculturation and community cohesion can be used to align misperceptions of safety to actual safety to promote outdoor play.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by NIH-Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD R21HD060925). This work is a publication of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA/ARS) Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, BCM through a cooperative agreement (USDA/ARS 6250-51000-053). The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the USDA or NIH, nor does mention of organizations imply endorsement from the US government.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, 500 N.3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA

    Erica G. Soltero & Rebecca E. Lee

  2. School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Ester Cerin

  3. Institute for Health and Ageing, Australian Catholic University, Level 6, 215 Spring Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, Australia

    Ester Cerin

  4. Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children’s Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1100 Bates Street, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Teresia M. O’Connor

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  1. Erica G. Soltero
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Correspondence to Erica G. Soltero.

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Soltero, E.G., Cerin, E., Lee, R.E. et al. Associations Between Objective and Self-Report Measures of Traffic and Crime Safety in Latino Parents of Preschool Children. J Immigrant Minority Health 19, 1109–1120 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-016-0498-8

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