| Abstract: | A longitudinal study was conducted in two neighborhoods in Raleigh, North Carolina, which were matched on demographic characteristics. During this period, a neighborhood directory appeared in one of the neighborhoods that provided personal information about each of the households listed as well as a listing of skills and equipment that residents were interested in exchanging with neighbors. The results showed a small, nonsignificant, increase in the level of general help exchange in the Directory neighborhood and a utilization rate of 14%, that is, 14% of the residents used the directory to seek assistance from a neighbor or offer assistance to a neighbor. There were no changes in the level of acquaintance with neighbors and satisfaction with other neighbors and the neighborhood, but there was an unexpected decline in the level of involvement in neighborhood activities. No changes in these areas were observed in the matching control neighborhood. Across both neighborhoods, residents who showed higher levels of help exchange with neighbors were better acquainted with their neighbors, more involved in the neighborhood, younger, better educated, and more likely to be married. The results are discussed in terms of recent research and theory on neighborliness and mutual aid between neighbors. |
