The decision to trust: an application of structural equation modeling to the actor evaluation and trust framework

Abstract

The growing number of crises, from public health crises like COVID-19 to natural disasters like wildfires and hurricanes, has exposed the need for a comprehensive framework to understand how an individual decides who to trust and whether to cooperate with public policy to mitigate risk. Previous research has relied on contemporary social trust and confidence conceptualizations to develop complex models and frameworks with limited generalizability and applications. Further, many contemporary trust and policy cooperation frameworks lack robust empirical tests and evidence to support their claims and assumptions. This study introduces the Actor Evaluation and Trust Framework (AETF) and tests it using nationally representative survey data from the COVID-19 pandemic. Results from three structural equation models provide significant support for the AETF. The AETF offers a novel approach to understanding trust and policy cooperation, building on interdisciplinary research and insights from contemporary models.