The Neighborhood Quality Index is a 15-item measure that ask respondents questions about the objective and subjective character of their neighborhood/neighbors. Items capture three domains: 1. Perceived social capital (e.g., neighbors are willing to help each other in times of need); 2. Perceived security (e.g., the neighborhood is safe); 3. Adequacy of services and facilities (e.g., lighting, transportation, and public facilities).
Geographies Tested: Taiwan
Populations Included: Female, Male
Age Range: Adolescents, Adults
1. Neighbourhood is quiet and peaceful
2. Neighbourhood is spacious and roomy
3. Neighbourhood has adequate lighting
4. Neighbourhood has convenient transportation
5. Neighbourhood has adequate public facilities
6. Neighbourhood is safe
7. Neighbourhood is orderly with good public security
8. Neighbours enjoy participating in community activities together
9. Neighbours chat and greet each other
10. Neighbours are mutually concerned for each other
11. Neighbours are willing to provide assistance when I am in need
12. Being able to find someone to talk with in my neighbourhood when in distress
13. Neighbours are willing to maintain public hygiene in the neighbourhood
14. Neighbours are willing to solve problems together
15. Feeling happy with my neighbourhood
Domain 1: Perceived social capital – items 8-15
Domain 2: Perceived security – items 1, 2, 6, 7
Domain 3: Adequacy of services and facilities – items 3-5
Response Options:
Four point scale ranging from 1 = "strongly agree" to 4="strongly disagree"
Neighborhood quality scores are created by summing all items, with higher scores indicating poorer perceptions of neighborhood quality. Thus, the higher the score, the poorer the respondent’s perception of their neighborhood quality.
Yang, M., Yang, M., Shih, C., & Kawachi, I. (2002). Development and validation of an instrument to measure perceived neighbourhood quality in Taiwan. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 56(7), 492-496. doi:10.1136/jech.56.7.492
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