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Neighborhood Disorganization – Rochester Youth Development Study
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About Neighborhood Disorganization – Rochester Youth Development Study
Scale Name
Neighborhood Disorganization – 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 Disorganization – 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 parents’ perceptions of crime, dilapidation, and disorganization in their neighborhood. 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 disorganization theory (Shaw & McKay, 1942), assessing how perceived neighborhood disorder influences family dynamics and youth outcomes.
The scale comprises 10 items rated on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = “strongly disagree” to 4 = “strongly agree”). Examples include “There is a lot of crime in my neighborhood” and “My neighborhood has many run-down buildings.” Scores are summed (range: 10-40), with higher scores indicating greater perceived disorganization. Validated in urban parent samples, it is used to assess neighborhood risk factors, predict youth behavioral outcomes, and inform community-based interventions.
Psychologists, sociologists, and public health researchers use the scale to evaluate parental perceptions of neighborhood conditions, study risk factors for delinquency, and design prevention programs. Its excellent reliability is a strength, 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 or Rochester Youth Development Study publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses perceptions of neighborhood crime and disorganization to support family and community well-being, emphasizing anonymity and using clear, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking parents to rate their agreement with statements about neighborhood conditions over the past month, using the 4-point scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 3-4 minutes, given the 10-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 Disorganization – Rochester Youth Development Study demonstrates excellent psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is very high, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.95, indicating strong item cohesion. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate to high based on similar disorganization measures (r ≈ 0.65-0.85 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as increased youth delinquency (r ≈ 0.20-0.40) and reduced community engagement (r ≈ -0.30 to -0.50). Discriminant validity is evidenced by weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like individual academic achievement (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its ability to predict adverse youth outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s unidimensional focus on disorganization supports construct validity. The high reliability makes it robust, though pairing with youth-reported measures (e.g., Fear of Crime, Gorman-Smith et al., 2000) can enhance accuracy.
Available Versions
17-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 Disorganization – Rochester Youth Development Study measure?
It measures parents’ perceptions of crime, dilapidation, and disorganization in their neighborhood.
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 3-4 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 excellent reliability (α = 0.95).
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