Politics, Religion, and Fear of Crime

• In Event: Factors that Predict or Explain Fear of Crime

Abstract

While previous research has examined a variety of measures that predict the fear of crime, few have considered how religious and political party affiliation might influence one’s fear. Given the changing landscape of American politics and religious views, it makes sense that group affiliations might differentially impact fear of crime. We examine these relationships using the ninth wave (2023) of the Chapman Survey of American Fears, using weighted OLS regression to explore the relationship between religion and political ideology on three fear of crime scales (general fear, known offender fear, and stranger offender fear). Preliminary findings indicate a difference in fear of crime based on religious denomination and level of biblical literalism. Additionally, the significance of political affiliation decreases when demographic controls are added.

Authors

• Madeline Brock, Mississippi State University

• Margaret Ralston, Mississippi State University

• Nicole Rader, Mississippi State University