Do Perceptions of Social Cohesion, Social Support, and Social Control Mediate the Effects of Local Community Participation on Neighborhood Satisfaction?

Abstract

This article investigates the effects of social cohesion, social support, social control, and active local community participation on neighborhood satisfaction among individuals living in Los Angeles County. Utilizing the LAFANS dataset and proportional odds regression models, the authors find that net of individual demographic and socioeconomic status, perceptions of social cohesion, and social control are associated with greater levels of neighborhood satisfaction, whereas perceptions of neighborhood social support have no effect on satisfaction. Furthermore, formal involvement in one’s neighborhood is associated with greater levels of satisfaction only in certain contexts and only for certain types of involvement.