Safety concerns, fear and precautionary behavior among college women: An exploratory examination of two measures of residency

Abstract

This study examines the impact of two distinct measures of residency on college women's perceptions of safety, fear of crime and precautionary behaviors within both on-campus and off-campus areas. A student's current residency either on- or off-campus and a student's prior residency in a metropolitan, micropolitan or rural county prior to college are compared across these three aspects of campus safety. Current residency is found to be significantly related to a student's perceptions of safety in off-campus areas around campus, as well as the likelihood of engaging in precautionary behaviors such as avoiding specific locations on campus or carrying or keeping something (for example, weapons) for protection. Prior residency, on the other hand, was not found to impact perceptions of safety, fear of crime or precautionary behaviors.