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Neighborhood Integration – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Neighborhood Integration – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Neighborhood Integration – Rochester Youth Development Study
Author Details
Terence P. Thornberry, Marvin D. Krohn, Alan J. Lizotte, Carolyn A. Smith, and Kimberly Tobin (2003)
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Neighborhood Integration – Rochester Youth Development Study, developed by Terence P. Thornberry, Marvin D. Krohn, Alan J. Lizotte, Carolyn A. Smith, and Kimberly Tobin in 2003, is a parent-report questionnaire designed to measure the extent to which neighbors are familiar with one another and interact on a routine basis. Targeting parents of youths initially in grades 7-8 (ages 12-14) in 1988, with longitudinal follow-up into adulthood in urban settings, the scale was part of the Rochester Youth Development Study, a longitudinal study of risk and protective factors for youth delinquency. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with social capital theory (Coleman, 1988) and social disorganization theory (Shaw & McKay, 1942), assessing how neighborly interactions foster community cohesion and reduce risk factors for youth.
The scale comprises 8 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “strongly disagree” to 4 = “strongly agree”). Examples include “I know most of my neighbors” and “Neighbors in my community often talk or visit with each other.” Scores are summed (range: 8-32), with higher scores indicating greater neighborhood integration. Validated in urban parent samples, it is used to assess social cohesion, predict positive youth outcomes, and inform community-based interventions.
Psychologists, sociologists, and public health researchers use the scale to evaluate parental perceptions of neighborhood connectedness, study protective factors, and design prevention programs. Its strong reliability and focus on social interactions are strengths, though its parent-only perspective and English-only availability may limit comprehensive assessment and cross-cultural use.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain a copy of the scale from authorized sources, such as Dahlberg et al. (2005) Measuring Violence-Related Attitudes, Behaviors, and Influences Among Youths (p. 122, available at or Rochester Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses neighbor familiarity and interactions to support community and family well-being, emphasizing anonymity and using clear, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking parents to rate their agreement with statements about neighborhood integration over the past month, using the 4-point scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 2-3 minutes, given the 8-item format.
- Administer in a home, community, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration may be used for parents with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Neighborhood Integration – Rochester Youth Development Study demonstrates strong psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is high, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.85, indicating excellent item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar social cohesion measures (r ≈ 0.65-0.85 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as increased community engagement (r ≈ 0.30-0.50) and reduced youth delinquency (r ≈ -0.20 to -0.40). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like individual income (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict positive youth outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s unidimensional focus on integration supports construct validity. The high reliability makes it robust, though pairing with youth-reported measures (e.g., Neighborhood Disorganization, Arthur et al., 2002) can enhance accuracy.
Available Versions
07-Items
Reference
Dahlberg, L. L., Toal, S. B., Swahn, M. H., & Behrens, C. B. (2005). Measuring violence-related attitudes, behaviors, and influences among youths: A compendium of assessment tools. Centers for disease control and prevention.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Neighborhood Integration – Rochester Youth Development Study measure?
It measures parents’ perceptions of neighbor familiarity and routine interactions.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, sociologists, and public health researchers studying parents of urban youths.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 2-3 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets parents of urban youths initially in grades 7-8.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, it supports interventions with strong reliability (α = 0.85).
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