The Test of the Environmental docility Hypothesis on Fear of Crime Among Rural Residents: A Comparative Analysis of Environmental Factors by Age

This study applies the Environmental Docility Hypothesis from gerontology to examine the relationship between community environmental perceptions and fear of crime among rural residents in South Korea. It also investigates whether age has a significant moderating effect on this relationship. For this purpose, the second-wave data from the Korean Institute of Criminology and Justice's study titled “2020 Policy Measures to Enhance the Effectiveness of Criminal Justice Policy for National Safety (V): Safety Conditions and Improvement Measures for Remote Island and Rural Areas” were utilized. The main analysis results revealed that perceived disorder and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) factors had statistically significant effects on specific fears of crime, while the main effect of age as a moderator was not confirmed. However, when examining the interaction between age and collective efficacy, it was found that while collective efficacy was not statistically significant in younger and middle-aged groups, it had a significant effect in the older age group. Based on the findings of this study, further empirical research grounded in the Environmental Docility Hypothesis regarding fear of crime is suggested. Additionally, the need for policy development aimed at revitalizing community engagement in rural areas is recommended.