Neighborhood disadvantage indicators

% individuals living below federal poverty threshold

% households receiving public assistance

% occupied housing units with no vehicle

% adults aged 25 years and older with less than a high-school education

% unemployed individuals aged 16 years and older in the civilian labor force

% unoccupied housing units

% occupied housing units with more than 1 person per room (crowding)

% female-headed households

Social cohesion scale items

This is a close-knit neighborhood.

People around here are willing to help their neighbors.

People in this neighborhood generally don’t get along.

People in this neighborhood can be trusted.

People in this neighborhood don’t share the same values.

Neighborhood violence scale items

How often was there a fight in this neighborhood in which a weapon was used?

How often was there a violent argument between neighbors?

How often were there gang fights?

How often was there a sexual assault or rape?

How often was there a robbery or mugging?

Neighborhood disorder scale items

Excessive noise

Heavy traffic or speeding cars

Trash and litter

Note. Neighborhood disadvantage indicators were derived from the 2000 US Census. Social environment scale items were administered in a follow-up phone interview approximately 3 years after the baseline examination. Response options for social cohesion were on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (4). Items 2 and 5 were reverse-coded. Response options for neighborhood violence were on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from never (1) to often (4). Response options for neighborhood disorder were on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from not really a problem (1) to very serious problem (4).