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Reciprocated Exchange – Chicago Neighborhood Study
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About Reciprocated Exchange – Chicago Neighborhood Study
Scale Name
Reciprocated Exchange – Chicago Neighborhood Study
Author Details
Robert J. Sampson, Jeffrey D. Morenoff, and Felton Earls (1999)
Translation Availability
English

Background/Description
The Reciprocated Exchange – Chicago Neighborhood Study, developed by Robert J. Sampson, Jeffrey D. Morenoff, and Felton Earls in 1999, is a resident-report questionnaire designed to measure the relative frequency of social exchange within the neighborhood on issues of consequence for children, such as mutual support and resource sharing among neighbors. Targeting urban residents aged 18 and older, the scale was part of the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods, a longitudinal study examining community influences on youth development. Cited in Dahlberg et al. (2005), it aligns with social capital theory (Coleman, 1988) and social disorganization theory (Shaw & McKay, 1942), assessing how reciprocal interactions foster community cohesion and support child well-being.
The scale comprises 5 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = “never” to 5 = “very often”). Examples include “Neighbors help each other with child-related issues” and “I share resources with neighbors for children’s needs.” Scores are summed (range: 5-25), with higher scores indicating greater reciprocated exchange. Validated in urban adult 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 neighborhood social dynamics, study protective factors for youth, and design community programs. Its focus on child-related exchanges is a strength, but moderate reliability and English-only availability may limit reliability 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 Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods publications, ensuring ethical use permissions.
- Explain the purpose to respondents, noting that it assesses social exchanges related to children to support community well-being, emphasizing anonymity and using clear, non-judgmental language.
- Provide instructions, asking residents to rate the frequency of neighborly exchanges about child-related issues over the past month, using the 5-point scale.
- Approximate time for completion is 1-2 minutes, given the 5-item format.
- Administer in a community, household, or research setting, using paper or digital formats, ensuring a private environment. Oral administration may be used for residents with reading difficulties.
Reliability and Validity
The Reciprocated Exchange – Chicago Neighborhood Study has moderate psychometric properties, as reported in Dahlberg et al. (2005). Internal consistency is moderate, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.65, indicating acceptable but limited item cohesion, likely due to the small number of items and varied exchange types. Test-retest reliability is not reported, but stability is inferred to be moderate based on similar social capital measures (r ≈ 0.60-0.80 over weeks).
Convergent validity is supported by correlations with related constructs, such as increased community cohesion (r ≈ 0.30-0.50) and reduced youth delinquency (r ≈ -0.15 to -0.35). Discriminant validity is inferred from weaker correlations with unrelated constructs, like individual income (r < 0.30). Criterion validity is demonstrated by its use in predicting positive community and youth outcomes in longitudinal studies. Factor analyses are not detailed, but the scale’s focus on child-related exchanges supports construct validity. The moderate reliability suggests cautious use, ideally paired with validated measures like the Collective Efficacy scale (Sampson et al., 1997).
Available Versions
05-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 Reciprocated Exchange – Chicago Neighborhood Study measure?
It measures the frequency of social exchanges among neighbors on child-related issues.
Who can use the scale?
Psychologists, sociologists, and public health researchers studying urban residents aged 18+.
How long does the scale take to complete?
It takes about 1-2 minutes.
Is the scale specific to certain groups?
It targets urban residents aged 18 and older.
Can the scale inform interventions?
Yes, but moderate reliability (α = 0.65) suggests use with validated measures.
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