General trust scale: Validation in cross-cultural settings

Abstract

Trust plays a critical role in all aspects of social functioning. In attempting to better understand trust cross culturally, a valid tool is essential. We conducted two studies to investigate the cross-cultural validity and utility of the Generalized Trust Scale (Yamagishi and Yamagishi 1994). In Study 1, the structural and convergent validity of the GTS was examined in a large Polish sample (N = 727). Our findings provided important preliminary evidence for the validity of this scale in this sample. Subsequently, Study 2 compared responses to the GTS from two culturally different countries: Poland (N = 203) and the United States (N = 230). The structure of the GTS remained invariant across these two cultures, and the level of trust was comparable. As expected Americans showed higher levels of happiness than Poles, yet the relationship between trust and happiness was positive and similar in strength for both countries. Our data provide preliminary support for the use of the GTS in cross-cultural comparisons; however, consideration of data at the item level may also be relevant and cross culturally useful.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Generalized Trust Scale: Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Rasch Models and Relationship with Quality of Life, Happiness, and Depression

“…Construct validity of the Persian GTS was assessed using the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) using the diagonally weighted least squares (WLSMV) estimator. Moreover, two factor structures were proposed for the Persian GTS according to the prior research (Jasielska et al 2019): a unidimensional model without method factor and a unidimensional model with method factor. The two models were compared using the χ 2 difference test to determine which one performs better.…”

“…Prior research has suggested that social trust in groups and societies may be elevated by effective training and social campaigns that have integrated trust and kindness (Jasielska 2018). With learning to trust others through kindness practice, people may therefore elevate their happiness level and increase their willingness to engage in prosocial behaviors because social interactions must be derived from a foundation of trust (Jasielska et al 2019). Moreover, such social connection and social support are key components that lead to satisfactory subjective well being (Wang 2016), resilience ability to cope with stress (Pietrzak et al 2010), and a healthy and happy life Patients were classified into residency in urban areas (subgroup 1) and residency in rural areas (subgroup 2) c Patients were classified into older (higher than mean age > 34.83; subgroup 1) and younger (lower than mean age ≤ 34.83; subgroup 2) d Patients were classified into higher educated (higher than mean education years > 10.11; subgroup 1) and lower educated (lower than mean education years ≤ 10.11; subgroup 2) e Patients were classified into poor self-reported health (subgroup 1) and good self-reported health (subgroup 2) (Holt-Lunstad et al 2017).…”

“…More specifically, social interactions occurring in everyday life rely on trust having satisfactory social functioning at both micro and macro levels. Furthermore, it appears to be impossible to sustain good relationships or conduct business transactions without trust, and is arguably a type of social lubricant (Jasielska et al 2019). Given that trust indicates the anticipation of positive (rather than negative) outcomes from others' actions (Ashraf et al 2006;Johnson and Mislin 2011;Yamagishi and Yamagishi 1994), a positive relationship can be built up when two individuals involved in a social interaction both have trust.…”

“…A higher score on the GTS indicates a higher level of trust. Previous findings have demonstrated the good psychometric properties for the GTS (Jasielska et al 2019). A sample item of the GTS is "Most people are basically honest.…”

When is happy also prosocial? The relationship between happiness and social orientation depends on trust, agency and communion

“…If a subject believes that people are trustworthy, he or she will be more likely to express prosocial orientation because of the expectation that this kind behaviour will be rewarded by reciprocity (Chaudhuri, Sopher, & Strand, 2002;Johnson & Mislin, 2011). Studies also show that, in general, happy people (and nations) are also more trustful (Growiec & Growiec, 2014;Jasielska, 2018;Jasielska, Rogoza, Zajenkowska, & Bower-Russa, 2019;Tov & Diener, 2008). Hence, trust seems to be an important factor to consider when analysing relationships between happiness and prosocial orientation.…”