Name: JOHN-A-THON 2007-09-28 21:30 ID:EH961qQD
The study, published in the American Journal of Public Health, also shows that fear of crime is associated with decreased physical functioning and lower quality of life.
Lead author Mai Stafford of University College London said the 6,500 study participants -- British civil servants -- were generally healthy and all were between the ages of 50 and 75. Many were still working.
"Overall, the data strongly suggest not simply that people who are vulnerable due to their health or age are more frightened but that being frightened of crime is in itself contributing to their poor mental health and quality of life," Stafford said in a statement.
After adjusting for age, gender, employment grade, length of residence and previous mental health status, the research showed that participants with a high fear of crime were 1.93 times as likely to exhibit symptoms of depression and 1.75 times as likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety, than those reporting low fear of crime. These people also exercised less, saw friends less often and participated in fewer social activities compared with less fearful participants.
Lead author Mai Stafford of University College London said the 6,500 study participants -- British civil servants -- were generally healthy and all were between the ages of 50 and 75. Many were still working.
"Overall, the data strongly suggest not simply that people who are vulnerable due to their health or age are more frightened but that being frightened of crime is in itself contributing to their poor mental health and quality of life," Stafford said in a statement.
After adjusting for age, gender, employment grade, length of residence and previous mental health status, the research showed that participants with a high fear of crime were 1.93 times as likely to exhibit symptoms of depression and 1.75 times as likely to exhibit symptoms of anxiety, than those reporting low fear of crime. These people also exercised less, saw friends less often and participated in fewer social activities compared with less fearful participants.