Fear, risk, and local control: Testing the generality of Ferraro’s risk interpretation framework

Objectives: This study expands on current fear of crime research by testing the theoretical invariance between risk perceptions, crime fear, and their proposed antecedents as outlined in Ferraro’s risk interpretation framework. Methods: Structural equation modeling techniques were used to test the invariance of the risk interpretation framework across a sample of weighted survey data drawn from three Michigan cities. Results: Risk perceptions were directly associated with crime fear, holding constant all other variables in the risk interpretation framework. Results also indicate the risk interpretation framework operated in a theoretically invariant manner across city samples by way of measurement and structural invariance. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the precision of the risk interpretation framework by highlighting its invariance to macro-level contingencies in exposure to violence and its generality across three city samples. Investing in broad risk communication strategies targeted at improving perceptions of neighborly processes may be widely transferable and useful in the moderation of undue and unnecessary crime fear among citizens.