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The Impact of Structural Disadvantage on Homicides in Cleveland From 1990 to 2010

Issa, Rania N
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6327-834X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1497298643696709

Abstract Details

2017, Doctor of Philosophy, University of Akron, Sociology.
In the United States, homicide victimization varies by place. Structural theories, including social disorganization theory focus on the impact of place versus the individual for explaining crime. This dissertation focuses on the impact of disadvantage and neighborhood instability, two of the three key predictors of social disorganization theory, on homicide across time and type. Due to a lack of existing databases that include information regarding both the location and type of the homicide, primary data is used to answer the research questions set forth in this dissertation. The sample includes twenty years of homicide data from Cleveland, Ohio from 1990 to 2010. Additionally, census data from multiple years are utilized to measure the independent variables in the study. This dissertation contributes to the existing literature by testing the impact of social disorganization over time and across different types of homicides using both traditional and improved analytical techniques, which include mapping, growth curve modeling and negative binomial models. Special attention is paid to the effects of spatial autocorrelation. The analyses reveal that disadvantage and neighborhood instability are important factors for explaining homicide rates over time. The results also reveal a differential impact of structural disadvantage across homicide types, illustrating the importance of disaggregating homicides. Additionally, the pattern in neighboring areas is significant, providing further evidence for the importance of studying neighboring effects. The findings suggest the importance of studying time, place and context for gaining a better understanding of homicide patterns.
Valerie Callanan (Committee Co-Chair)
Matthew Lee (Committee Co-Chair)
Robert Peralta (Committee Member)
Juan Xi (Committee Member)
Jun Ye (Committee Member)
Wendy Regoeczi (Committee Member)
Richard Adams (Committee Member)
122 p.
Criminology; Sociology
homicide; social disorganization theory; homicide types; longitudinal

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Issa, R. N. (2017). The Impact of Structural Disadvantage on Homicides in Cleveland From 1990 to 2010 [Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1497298643696709

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Issa, Rania. The Impact of Structural Disadvantage on Homicides in Cleveland From 1990 to 2010 . 2017. University of Akron, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1497298643696709.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Issa, Rania. "The Impact of Structural Disadvantage on Homicides in Cleveland From 1990 to 2010 ." Doctoral dissertation, University of Akron, 2017. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1497298643696709

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

akron1497298643696709
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© 2017, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Akron and OhioLINK.