Características de los vecindarios y la distribución espacial de problemas sociales en la ciudad de valencia

Resumen

The aim of this doctoral thesis is to explore the influence of neighborhood-level variables on the spatial and spatio-temporal distribution of different social problems in the city of Valencia. In Study 1, we present data on the development and validation of an observational instrument to assess neighborhood disorder. Results supported a three-factor model (physical disorder, social disorder and physical deterioration), and they showed good reliability and validity evidences. In Study 2, we assess the psychometric properties of a neighborhood disorder scale using Google Street View. Results supported a bifactorial solution with a general factor (general neighborhood disorder) and two specific factors (physical disorder and physical decay), and also showed good indicators of reliability and validity. In Study 3, we analyze the spatial distribution of drug-related police interventions and the neighborhood characteristics influencing these spatial patterns. Results indicated that high physical decay, low socioeconomic status, and high immigrant concentration were associated with high levels of drug-related police interventions. In Study 4, we analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of alcohol outlet density and its relationship with neighborhood characteristics. Results showed that off-premise density was higher in areas with lower economic status, higher immigrant concentration, and lower residential instability; restaurant and cafe density was higher in areas with higher spatially-lagged economic status, and bar density was higher in areas with higher economic status and higher spatially-lagged economic status. Furthermore, restaurant and cafe density was negatively associated with alcohol-related police calls-for-service, while bar density was positively associated with alcohol-related calls-for-service. In Study 5, we analyze the spatio-temporal distribution of suicide-related emergency calls. Results showed the importance of using a spatio-temporal modeling that also includes a seasonality effect. In Study 6, we analyze the relationship of suicide-related calls with neighborhood-level variables. Results showed that neighborhoods with lower levels of education level and population density, and higher levels of residential instability, percentage of one-person households and aging population had higher levels of suicide-related calls for service. Finally, in Study 7, we analyze the influence of university campuses on intimate partner violence against women risk. Results showed that the distance to the university campuses was associated with an increased risk of intimate partner violence against women, once controlled for other types of neighborhood-level variables. This doctoral thesis contributes to the understanding of the neighborhood-level characteristics associated with different social problems. These results are useful when planning and implementing community-level prevention and intervention strategies.