Citation

Brown BB, Harris PB. J. Environ. Psychol. 1989; 9(2): 119-132.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1989, Academic Press)

DOI

10.1016/S0272-4944(89)80003-9

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The present paper draws upon territoriality theory to describe the experiences of residential burglary victims. Interviews with 44 female victims of suburban burglary trace the consequences of the territorial intrusion from the initial emotional impact, to efforts to cope via territorial reinforcements and social interactions, to long-term feelings of security. Although victims' immediate coping strategies provided comfort, they were unrelated to long-term security. Severe forms of territorial violation, such as extensive intrusion, the ransacking of the home, or the loss of personally meaningful goods, predicted greater victim upset and lower long-term sense of security. Because long-term victim reactions could be traced to the characteristics of the intrusion and were not ameliorated via voluntary coping efforts, researchers and practitioners are urged to consider the territorial circumstances of the crime when dealing with burglary victims.