Inseguridad y estrés percibidos en una muestra de población generalPerceived insecurity and stress in a general population sample

Abstract

Objective: The perception of insecurity is considered done of the most relevant problemsin our current society. Thus, taking into account the situational factors that derive fromperceived insecurity, this study analyses the perception of insecurity in the place ofresidence, perceived stress and it relationship with fear of crime of the general population.Method: A total of 491 participants (71.6% females) with ages ranging from 18 to 72years old responded to a measurement of of the percepcption of insecurity and perceivedstress. Results: The finding shows that although there is no significant difference betweensex and the perception insecurity, women often perceive less got security tan men,although in general, perceived safety is good. Although, with regard to the fear of crime,there are significant differences according to sex in terms of the type of crime thatgenerates more fear to the population in the use of public spaces in the area of residenceitself, outside it or another locality. In this context, the majority of women show a higherlevel of perceived fear; and specifically to the crime of sexual assault, compared to halfof men, who fear for the possibility of being able to rob and in a minority way manifestfear of suffering a physical aggression. Conclusions: The differences found between sex;the perception of insecurity and perceived stress show that it is women who perceivegreater insecurity in the environment in which they live, as well as greater subjectivediscomfort and greater insecurity in the face of factors that may arise uncontrollably.