Attitudes Toward Education As Influenced by Neighborhood Socioeconomic Characteristics: An Application of Multilevel Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

This study explains neighborhood differences in people's attitudes toward education by utilizing nationally representative data from Japan. While previous studies have shown that individuals' socioeconomic backgrounds are related to their attitudes toward education, no study in Japan has addressed whether neighborhood differences in socioeconomic characteristics influence these attitudes. Therefore, this study aims to clarify whether a neighborhood socioeconomic factor (percentage of college graduates) differentiates people's attitudes toward education by employing multilevel structural equation modeling techniques. RESULTS indicate some neighborhood differences in individuals' attitudes toward education; the percentage of college graduates in each neighborhood is associated with between-neighborhood differences. In other words, individuals living in a neighborhood with a higher percentage of college graduates have more positive attitudes toward education. Language: ja