PATTERNS OF SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG TENANTS IN URBAN AGE-SEGREGATED PUBLIC HOUSING.
Item
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Title
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PATTERNS OF SOCIAL RELATIONSHIPS AMONG TENANTS IN URBAN AGE-SEGREGATED PUBLIC HOUSING.
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Identifier
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AAI8302526
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identifier
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8302526
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Creator
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LEWIN, LINDA BARBARA.
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Contributor
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Leanne G. Rivlin | Douglas C. Kimmel
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Date
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1982
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Social
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Abstract
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This research presents a comprehensive analysis of the salient factors that influenced social relationships among tenants in a 150 unit, urban age-segregated public housing site. Results are based on sociometric items and in depth interviews with 91 tenants, observations, staff interviews and extensive log notes. The quality of relationships and respondents' perceptions of levels of intimacy were emphasized in data analyses. Status similarity, which was examined with respect to race, religion, nationality, sex, marital status and social class, had a profound impact on social ties. Contacts with status similar tenants was significantly greater than chance expectations. Analyses of the relationship between level of intimacy and status similarity revealed that in general tenants who were status similar were regarded as more intimate than tenants who were status dissimilar. These findings, supplemented by the qualitative data, were interpreted within Marris' (1975) conceptual framework. It was suggested that in an effort to establish structure and meaning from an amorphous social situation tenants seek out others from similar sociocultural backgrounds, anticipating that such persons will share common behavioral norms, customs and interests. In this way an ambiguous social milieu becomes more intelligible and predictable. Such associations tend to relieve anxiety that frequently follows a residential move to a culturally diverse setting and may enhance tenants' feelings of personal continuity, self-identity and control. The performance of formal roles within on-site organizations was identified as a major mechanism that facilitated on-site relationships. Respondents who had performed formal roles named significantly more tenants with whom they had social contacts, and a larger number of more intimate relationships than respondents with no formal roles. Further, the performance of formal roles was associated with significantly more social relationships with status dissimilar residents. Formal roles appear to be efficacious mechanisms for promoting relationships among tenants in socially heterogeneous settings. Staff efforts to promote informal mutual assistance networks and to establish formal organizations also facilitated meaningful social interactions. Propinquity of dwelling units influenced social relationships although the proximity effect in this study was not nearly as pronounced as that observed by other investigators. The relevance of these finds for practice, policy and theory are discussed.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
