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Comparing two global measures of perceived neighborhood quality

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Abstract

This article examines and compares two global measures of perceived neighborhood quality: satisfaction and attachment. In doing this, the article expands upon the general satisfaction model by developing and testing a model of perceived neighborhood quality which is appropriate to both of these summary measures. Using survey data, the article demonstrates that satisfaction and attachment are each affected by social interaction in the neighborhood and that each can be distinguished by how strongly it taps the cognitive and affective components of well-being. The article also demonstrates the differential impact of general and local social status variables on each of the global measures as well as the impact of perceived homogeneity.

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Connerly, C.E., Marans, R.W. Comparing two global measures of perceived neighborhood quality. Social Indicators Research 17, 29–47 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00354111

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