Psychological Security of Urban Dwellers and the Subject–Spatial Environment of the City

Abstract

The physical and spatial environment of a city is closely related to the general well-being of residents and their psychological security. The study aimed to examine the relationship between the physical and spatial urban environment and psychological security of its residents. The sampling consisted of 272 Yekaterinburg residents (Russia) aged 20–70. Psychological security was evaluated through the Urbanites Psychological Security Scale proposed by O.Yu. Zotova and L.V. Tarasova. A questionnaire was employed to identify objective factors in the urban environment. The findings indicate that the period when city dwellers perceive the urban environment as most reliable is between 20 and 45 years, with women evaluating relationships in the city as more trustworthy. The residents whose length of residence in the city is 10–40 years rated the comfort of the urban environment the most highly. Individuals who have resided in various urban areas report a heightened sense of control over their environment, awareness of their surroundings, and environmental competence. As the size of their living space per person expands, their assessment of the dependability of social relationships within their urban environment becomes more favorable, and the intensity of their interaction with the environment is associated with an enhanced sense of psychological security in urban environments.