Unwanted Behaviors and Nuisance Behaviors Among Neighbors in a Belgian Community Sample

Abstract

Unwanted behaviors between (ex-)intimates have been extensively studied, while those behaviors within other contexts such as neighbors have received much less scientific consideration. Research indicates that residents are likely to encounter problem behaviors from their neighbors. Besides the lack of clarity in the conceptualization of problem behaviors among neighbors, little is known on which types of behaviors characterize neighbor problems. In this study, the occurrence of two types of problem behaviors encountered by neighbors was explored within a Belgian community sample: unwanted behaviors such as threats and neighbor nuisance issues such as noise nuisance. By clearly distinguishing those two types of behaviors, this study aimed at contributing to the conceptualization of neighbor problems. Next, the coping strategies used to deal with the neighbor problems were investigated. Our results indicated that unwanted behaviors were more frequently encountered by residents compared with nuisance problems. Four out of 10 respondents reported both unwanted pursuit behavior and nuisance problems. It was especially unlikely to encounter nuisance problems in isolation of unwanted pursuit behaviors. While different coping styles (avoiding the neighbor, confronting the neighbor, and enlisting help from others) were equally used by the stalked participants, none of them was perceived as being more effective in reducing the stalking behaviors. Strikingly, despite being aware of specialized help services such as community mediation services, only a very small subgroup enlisted this kind of professional help.

Coexisting when living next door: The agreements neighbors make in mediation

“…Similar to other studies of neighbor conflicts (Cheshire & Buglar, 2016; Michaux et al, 2017), at least one of the parties in most of the cases in our study experienced conflict that was partly caused by various forms of noise nuisance. We do not know the specific standards of the buildings in which our research participants live, but reports from the construction industry suggest that the standard of dwellings in housing associations is often rather low (Landsbyggefonden, 2001, 2014).…”

“…Neighbors fight over multiple issues (Cheshire & Buglar, 2016; Michaux, Groenen, & Uzieblo, 2017; Scott & Parkey, 1998; Stokoe & Hepburn, 2005). Their disputes are situated in a setting of norms and often arise from breaching boundaries and unwanted exposure to others' intimate lives (Merry & Silbey, 1984; Stokoe, 2006).…”

Direct and Indirect Impacts of Housing Tenure Mix on Antisocial Behavior: A Study of Hong Kong’s Private Housing Communities

“…Ross et al (2001) divulged a strong positive correlation between the level of trust among residents and the degree of disorder in a residential neighborhood. In a recent study by Michaux et al (2017), the perceived neighbor relationship was found to be highly related to the occurrence of neighborhood problems in Belgium. Even though there is a high degree of resident heterogeneity within a housing community, the neighborhood quality can be maintained when strong social networks or supports are present (Takagi and Kawachi 2014).…”

“…In England and Wales, about 40% of the adults experienced or witnessed ASB in their neighborhoods (Office for National Statistics 2019). According to the results of a Belgium-based survey, 46% of the respondents reported nuisance behavior from their neighbors (Michaux et al 2017).…”

Living closely: residents' health and wellbeing in small multi-owned residential buildings

“…There has been some research focusing on neighbour relations, unwanted behaviours and conflicts; however, these studies mostly focus on the neighbourhood scale and not on the building scale (e.g. Cheshire and Fitzgerald, 2015; Michaux et al , 2017; van Eijek, 2012).…”