A Multilevel Approach to Civic Participation

Abstract

This study employed Sampson’s multilevel system model to investigate how individual-and neighborhood-level residential characteristics are related to individuals’ civic participation. Furthermore, this study examined whether the effects of communication variables on civic participation vary depending on these residence-related factors. The findings show the significant impacts of residential variables, individual length of residence and neighborhood residential stability, and they support prior research that has evidenced the significance of communication behaviors—interpersonal network, public affairs newspaper and television use, and time spent watching television. Notably, this study revealed significant interactive relationships between residential variables and media use in generating civically oriented citizens: The use of local public affairs news on TV is more likely to lead to community participation among those living in a neighborhood with lower residential mobility, and time spent watching TV tends to be negatively related to civic engagement among those whose residence in a community is shorter.