Test of preqis' factorial structure and reliability in France and of a neighbourhood attachment prediction model: A study on a french sample in Paris

This paper has two aims: testing the Perceived Residential Environment Quality Indicators (PREQIs', Bonaiuto et al., 2003) factorial structure and reliability in the French context and testing a three-level model where more specific PREQIs cover the first level, more molar PREQIs about pace of life (i.e., the attribution of qualities such as stimulating vs. boring and relaxing vs. distressing) cover the second level, and neighbourhood attachment represents the final outcome variable. Participants (n = 383) were residents of Paris who filled in a questionnaire including the French version of the extended PREQIs and Neighbourhood Attachment (NA) scales (Bonaiuto et al., 2006). PREQIs are validated in France with 139 items and 19 indicators (plus one indicator composed of 8 items for place attachment). The path analysis model presents an indirect connection between some PREQIs and NA via pace of life indicators, which are influenced by PREQIs and are directly associated to NA. More specifically, different PREQIs affect different pace of life dimensions: the perception of a more relaxed neighbourhood is associated to a high quality of design features, environmental health, and safety, whereas the perception of a more stimulating neighbourhood is connected to the presence of human activities and services.