NCJ Number
134165
Journal
Journal of Social Behavior and Personality Volume: 6 Issue: 6 Dated: (1991) Pages: 329-362
Date Published
1991
Length
34 pages
Annotation
Residential burglary is discussed in terms of its causes, psychological victimization effects, and nature and effectiveness of police services for victims based on current literature and the results of six experimental evaluation studies.
Abstract
Results show that residential burglary dramatizes the relationships among individuals, their home and property, and the social order. Central to victims' coping processes are perceived personal control and the related concepts of self-efficacy. The six evaluations of police services for burglary victims found that few services focus on the specific consequences of burglary with respect to home, privacy, and property. However, the services generally have positive effects with respect to burglary prevention measures and on victim attitudes toward the police. Findings show that police interventions do not reduce the psychological victimization impact and sometimes even lead to increased fear of property crime. Further research is recommended regarding the meaning of privacy and personal possessions for burglary victims. Chart and 90 references (Author abstract modified)