Assessing the Modified Neighborhood Cohesion Instrument Among African American Adolescents Living in Public Housing: An Exploratory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis

Abstract

Objective: African American youths are disproportionately overrepre-sented in low-resourced segregated urban neighborhoods. Consequently, they experience greater exposure to neighborhood risks and subsequent depressive symptoms. Neighborhood cohesion represents a protective factor for youth in such environments. However, the concept remains underexplored among African American youths. This study examines the psychometric properties of a modified version of the Neighborhood Cohesion Instrument (NCI) among African American youths living in public housing. Method: Psychometric properties were assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using data from African American youths (N 5 235) living in public housing in Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY. Results: The exploratory factor analysis resulted in the use of a single-factor structure with two dropped items and good internal validity. Findings from the confirmatory factor analysis indicated that model fit indices were unacceptable for chi-square and RMSEA (v2 ½62; N 5 235Š 5 170:19, p