engleski

Personal security and subjective well being

Each individual has a basic need for personal safety and security which fulfilment might be important for subjective well-being. In the present study we were interested in how fear of crime and perception of crime were associated with subjective well-being. The survey was conducted in November 2008 by face-to-face interviews on a representative sample of Croatian citizens (N=4000). Fear of crime was assessed as feelings of safety in three specific situations at night (in neighbourhood streets, at home, and in public transport). Additionally, perceptions of the prevalence of different types of neighbourhood crime or incivilities (alcoholism, corruption, minor crime, domestic abuse, violent crime, drug abuse, delinquency) were measured. Subjective well-being measures included overall happiness and life satisfaction. In accordance with previous findings, results showed relatively low associations of demographic characteristics with fear and perception of crime. While controlling for demographic variables (age, gender, income, education level, urbanization level), higher life satisfaction and happiness were significantly but weakly predicted by higher feelings of safety and by perception of corruption in the local area.

security; life satisfaction

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