Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Perceived Safety: Exploring Gender Moderation in a Dutch Context

Abstract

This study examines the influence of neighborhood social cohesion on perceived safety among Dutch residents, with a focus on gender moderation. Data from the Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences (LISS) panel from July 2020 were utilized, resulting in a representative sample of Dutch individuals (N=2532). Several Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression analyses were employed to test the hypotheses. Contrary to the expectations, gender did not significantly moderate the relationship between neighborhood social cohesion and perceived safety. However, in line with other research, women reported lower levels of perceived safety than men. This study highlights the importance of neighborhood social dynamics in shaping safety perceptions and provides insights into gender differences in perceived safety in the Dutch context. The study concludes with policy recommendations based on the findings.