Level Of Trust Research Articles

Trust calibration through perceptual and predictive information of the external context in autonomous vehicle

Maintaining an appropriate level of trust is critical for driving safety in autonomous vehicles. While enhancing the driver’s situation awareness (SA) of system information in autonomous driving is known to significantly promote trust calibration, it remains unclear whether enhancing the driver’s SA of the external context during driving contributes to this calibration. This study addresses this gap by improving SA of the external context during Level 3 (L3) driving automation across various driving environments. Driving contexts were manipulated using distinct road conditions containing low, medium, or high contextual risks. To enhance driver’s SA of the driving context, we redesigned the in-vehicle central control panel to display real-time perceptual and predictive information about the external driving context. We hypothesized that SA of driving contexts would facilitate trust calibration rather than merely enhancing trust, allowing trust to adjust to appropriate levels under different driving conditions. Experiment 1 examined the impact of perceptual information about the road, traffic infrastructure, and surrounding vehicles on drivers’ trust. We found that driver’s trust decreased with increased contextual risk only when the reconfigured panel was used, while the number of accidents was not affected. Experiment 2 investigated the effect of predictive information about the external context on drivers’ trust by marking safe and dangerous zones around driver’s vehicle with green and red areas, respectively. We revealed that the predictive information calibrated the trust according to road conditions and increased overall trust levels, while the number of accidents was not affected. Together, these findings suggest that enhancing perception and prediction of external contexts helps drivers align their trust with contextual risk levels in L3 driving automation without compromising driving safety.

Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Bureaucracy to Enhance Public Trust

Transparency and accountability are essential principles in good governance. However, there are still many challenges in achieving transparency and accountability within bureaucratic environments. This study aims to: 1) investigate the level of information openness and decision-making processes in government agencies; 2) identify best practices for enhancing transparency and accountability in bureaucracy; and 3) analyze the impact of transparency and accountability on public trust in the government. This research employs a qualitative approach using case study methods. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, document analysis, and observations in several central and regional government agencies. The results indicate that most government agencies have not yet optimized the implementation of public information openness principles. Decision-making processes tend to remain closed. However, some agencies have demonstrated good practices in enhancing transparency and accountability, such as using information technology, community involvement, and implementing effective complaint systems. The study also found that higher levels of transparency and accountability in bureaucracy correspond to higher levels of public trust in the government. This research concludes that transparency and accountability are crucial prerequisites for government bureaucracy to build public trust. Systematic and sustained efforts are needed to strengthen transparency and accountability practices within bureaucratic environments.

Trust and Organizational Commitment in a Postpandemic Environment.

This study aimed to evaluate nurses' trust in their leader and organizational commitment, examining the relationship between these factors postpandemic and investigating if age, tenure, and specialty area predicted trust and commitment. The nursing shortage was intensified by COVID-19. Nonnursing studies have explored the relationship of employee trust with organizational commitment, illustrating sparsity in nursing literature. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational design. An electronic survey was sent to more than 1000 nurses, with a final sample size of 135 over 6 weeks. Results demonstrated high levels of both trust and commitment. The correlation coefficients of all study variables were significant (P < 0.001). Organizational tenure predicted employee trust. Developing leadership skills in building trust with the nursing team contributes to increased organizational commitment. Interventions such as leader development in establishing trust and building relationships with their team members may improve nurse retention and organizational commitment.

INTELLIGENCE GATHERING AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO NIGERIA'S NATIONAL SECURITY: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT

The Nigerian intelligence sector faces institutional limitations that hinder the successful implementation of intelligence collecting, which is widely acknowledged as a crucial tool in tackling these issues. This paper provides a thorough evaluation of the function of intelligence gathering within Nigeria's national security framework, analysing its effectiveness in dealing with current security challenges. This study seeks to offer a thorough examination of the intelligence cycle in the Nigerian setting, including the gathering, analysis, and use of intelligence in national security strategy. The research used a mixed-methods methodology, combining quantitative data obtained from a questionnaire with qualitative insights obtained from an empirical literature analysis. The Network Theory (TNT) functions as the conceptual framework, providing a perspective to examine the intricate connections and transmission of information within the intelligence network. Statistical analysis is conducted on the questionnaire results using descriptive and inferential methods, while the findings of the literature review are consolidated to offer context and depth. The study results highlight a significant dependence on Human Intelligence (HUMINT) and source intelligence (OSINT) in Nigeria, with a lack of implementation of Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) and a disregard for Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT). Furthermore, the investigation exposes inadequate levels of trust and collaboration between intelligence agencies and other security organizations. The major obstacles mentioned are insufficient financial resources, insufficient training and knowledge, technical constraints, competition among different agencies, and legal and bureaucratic restrictions. The research findings indicate that although intelligence gathering is of utmost importance for Nigeria's national security, its efficacy is hindered by structural and operational obstacles. personnel growth and comprehensive strategy to improve intelligence capabilities, which involves bolstering inter- agency collaboration, allocating resources to technical progress and skilled personnel growth, and creating a strong legal and ethical structure.

Patient and public involvement in HIV research: a mapping review and development of an online evidence map.

Increasing evidence indicates the benefits of patient and public involvement (PPI) in medical research, and PPI is increasingly expected by funders and publishers. We conducted a mapping review of studies reporting examples of PPI implementation in HIV research, and developed an online evidence map to guide HIV researchers. We systematically searched Medline and Embase up until 18 August 2024, including search terms with variations for PPI and HIV. We extracted information from identified studies in duplicate and analysed the data descriptively and qualitatively to describe types of PPI models and reported benefits, challenges, and mitigation strategies. This study was co-initiated and co-led by people living with HIV. We identified 17 studies reporting PPI in HIV research between 1992 and August 2024. Most PPI examples informed prospective clinical studies, but also qualitative research, questionnaire development, research priority setting and surveys. Ten studies described the number and characteristics of PPI members involved. We observed four PPI models, from a model that solely engaged PPI members for a specific task to a model whereby PPI representatives were integrated into the study team with decision-making authority. Benefits reported included wider dissemination of research results, better understanding of research material and results, and higher levels of trust and learning between researcher and communities. The most commonly reported challenges were the lack of specific resources for PPI, differing levels of knowledge and expertise, concern about HIV status disclosure, and lack of diversity of the PPI team. Uneven power dynamics, tensions, and differing expectations between stake-holder groups were also frequently noted. This mapping review summarizes published examples of PPI in HIV research for various phases of research. There is a clear need to strengthen the reporting on PPI processes in HIV research, for example by following the Guidance for Reporting Involvement of Patients and the Public (GRIPP) 2 guidelines, and developing guidance on its hands-on implementation. We embedded PPI from study inception onwards, which potentially pre-empted some of the challenges reported in the reviewed examples. The resulting online evidence map is a starting point to guide researchers on integrating PPI into their own research.

Analysis of factors affecting telemedicine use satisfaction: A literature review

In the digital era, the role of telemedicine is increasingly vital in ensuring equitable and quality health access for all without being hindered by geography or economy. This literature aims to identify indicators of telemedicine service user satisfaction that impact the effectiveness and acceptance of telemedicine services. This study involved PubMed and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria were published in the last 5 years, including studies that explore and analyze telemedicine user satisfaction indicators, through both quantitative and qualitative approaches, providing an understanding of the factors that influence users' perceptions of telemedicine quality. User satisfaction is an important indicator of telemedicine success. So that service providers must consider these factors in improving telemedicine services. From this literature, factors that influence user satisfaction were identified, including the availability of technology, the quality of telemedicine services, the level of trust in the security of personal data, the ease of use of telemedicine, and the interaction between patients and telemedicine service providersopulation.

Trust and confidence in telehealth-delivered services: a nation-wide cross-sectional study

Sustaining telehealth uptake hinges on people’s desire and ability to effectively engage with it. We explored trust and confidence in telehealth delivered by medical and allied health using cross-sectional survey of 1,116 Australians. Descriptive analysis presented factors that would improve trust and confidence in telehealth cross-tabulated with video consultation experience. Inferential statistics compared levels of trust in medical and allied health telehealth with user-related variables. Trust in medical telehealth was higher than in allied health, but practice with video calls, experience with high-quality telehealth, and good internet were associated with greater levels of trust in both groups. Telehealth with a known health professional and no additional costs were top-ranked factors to improve trust and confidence. Participants confident in troubleshooting trusted telehealth more. This first cross-sectional study on trust and confidence in telehealth suggests that digital upskilling and promoting quality video consultations can potentially enhance telehealth adoption.

Health Care Professionals' Experience of Using AI: Systematic Review With Narrative Synthesis.

There has been a substantial increase in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for clinical decision support. Historically, these were mostly knowledge-based systems, but recent advances include non-knowledge-based systems using some form of machine learning. The ability of health care professionals to trust technology and understand how it benefits patients or improves care delivery is known to be important for their adoption of that technology. For non-knowledge-based AI tools for clinical decision support, these issues are poorly understood. The aim of this study is to qualitatively synthesize evidence on the experiences of health care professionals in routinely using non-knowledge-based AI tools to support their clinical decision-making. In June 2023, we searched 4 electronic databases, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science, with no language or date limit. We also contacted relevant experts and searched reference lists of the included studies. We included studies of any design that reported the experiences of health care professionals using non-knowledge-based systems for clinical decision support in their work settings. We completed double independent quality assessment for all included studies using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. We used a theoretically informed thematic approach to synthesize the findings. After screening 7552 titles and 182 full-text articles, we included 25 studies conducted in 9 different countries. Most of the included studies were qualitative (n=13), and the remaining were quantitative (n=9) and mixed methods (n=3). Overall, we identified 7 themes: health care professionals' understanding of AI applications, level of trust and confidence in AI tools, judging the value added by AI, data availability and limitations of AI, time and competing priorities, concern about governance, and collaboration to facilitate the implementation and use of AI. The most frequently occurring are the first 3 themes. For example, many studies reported that health care professionals were concerned about not understanding the AI outputs or the rationale behind them. There were issues with confidence in the accuracy of the AI applications and their recommendations. Some health care professionals believed that AI provided added value and improved decision-making, and some reported that it only served as a confirmation of their clinical judgment, while others did not find it useful at all. Our review identified several important issues documented in various studies on health care professionals' use of AI tools in real-world health care settings. Opinions of health care professionals regarding the added value of AI tools for supporting clinical decision-making varied widely, and many professionals had concerns about their understanding of and trust in this technology. The findings of this review emphasize the need for concerted efforts to optimize the integration of AI tools in real-world health care settings. PROSPERO CRD42022336359; https://tinyurl.com/2yunvkmb.

Impact of Transparency on Public Trust in a Government Charity and Gaming Office as Mediated by Corporate Social Responsibility

Purpose: This study investigated the mediating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on the relationship between transparency and public trust in a government and charity gaming office in Davao City. Materials and Methods: Using a quantitative, mediating design, samples of 300 clients were selected using stratified sampling surveyed through standardized modified instruments. The gathered data was analyzed using Mean, Pearson r, Regression and Medgraph using Sobel z-test. The pertinent results were presented appropriately in tables. Findings: The findings revealed an overall high level of transparency within the organization. Furthermore, the results demonstrated a very high level of public trust, as well as a very high level of CSR. The test of relationship revealed significant correlation among the variables. The mediation analysis revealed that CSR significantly mediated the relationship between transparency and public trust in the organization. The relationships between the variables are all significant; therefore, there is only partial mediation of CSR on the relationship between transparency and public trust. Partial mediation suggests that not only is there a significant relationship between the mediator and the dependent variable but that there is also direct relationship between the independent and dependent variable. Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study has uncovered significant implications for practice, theory, and policy regarding the relationships between transparency, public trust, and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It was found that transparency is closely linked to public trust and CSR. Specifically, a strong correlation was observed between transparency and public trust and between transparency and CSR. Additionally, a significant relationship was established between CSR and public trust. Given the overall high level of transparency observed, the researcher suggests that the PCSO branch in Davao City should maintain this level in this domain and focus on enhancing transparency across other indicators, particularly in terms of secrecy. To address this, it is recommended that the organization improve its information dissemination practices to clients. Moreover, future researchers must delve deeper into the relationships among transparency, public trust, and CSR, particularly within the context of Davao City or other regions of the country. More empirical studies on these variables need to be conducted in these specific contexts. Thus, further research could provide valuable insights for both academia and policymaking.

AI and blockchain technology for secure and transparent financial transactions

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technology presents a transformative approach to enhancing the security and transparency of financial transactions. Blockchain’s decentralized and immutable ledger system ensures that transaction records are tamper-proof and transparent, significantly reducing the risk of fraud and errors. AI, with its advanced data analytics and machine learning capabilities, further augments this ecosystem by providing real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated decision-making processes. Together, these technologies enable more efficient and secure financial operations, from cross-border payments to trade finance and asset management. This paper explores the synergistic potential of AI and blockchain in revolutionizing the financial sector, highlighting key applications, benefits, and challenges. By leveraging the strengths of both technologies, financial institutions can achieve unprecedented levels of security, efficiency, and trust in their operations.

PENGARUH MODAL SOSIAL TERHADAP KAPASITAS MANAJERIAL PETANI JAGUNG DI DESA UMBA KECAMATAN NAPANO KUSAMBI KABUPATEN MUNA BARAT

This study aims to ascertain the social capital and managerial capacity of farmers, as well as to determine the influence of the social model on the managerial capacity of corn farmers in Umba Village, Napano Kusambi Subdistrict, West Muna Regency. The research population comprises all individuals engaged in the cultivation of corn in Umba Village, amounting to a total of 32 individuals. The sample was selected using the census method, resulting in a sample size of 32 respondents for this study. Data were collected through observation, surveys, and structured interviews, with the use of a questionnaire. This study employed a quantitative approach. The variables under investigation are divided into two categories: social capital and managerial capacity among farmers. The data were subjected to two distinct forms of analysis. Initially, a quantitative descriptive analysis was conducted utilising the class interval formula to delineate the prevailing conditions pertaining to social capital and managerial capacity among maize farmers. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression analysis was employed to ascertain the influence of social capital on the managerial capacity of maize farmers. The multiple linear regression analysis is comprised of three tests: the T-test, F-test, and determination test. The findings indicate that the utilization of social capital among corn farmers in Umba Village is classified as favorable. This is evidenced by the presence of a robust level of trust, a commendable application of norms, and a relatively strong network of social connections. The managerial capacity of maize farmers is categorized as good, as evidenced by their effective maize farm planning and organization. However, there are areas for improvement, particularly in the dimensions of maize farming implementation and supervision, which remain in the poor category. Social capital has a significant positive effect on the managerial capacity of maize farmers, amounting to 29.1%, with 70.9% influenced by other factors.

Migration and neighbourhood trust: Evidence from urban China

Neighbourhood outcomes of migration have drawn considerable scholarly attention. Previous studies consider neighbourhood trust an indicator of social integration or social resources, revealing inconclusive findings regarding the effects of migration. Unlike previous studies, we view neighbourhood trust as a lifestyle feature. Combining urbanism theory and a typology of trust, we argue that migration causes a reduction in migrants’ neighbourhood trust through the assimilation of the urbanism lifestyle. We provide nationwide empirical evidence of the causal relationship between migration and neighbourhood trust and reveal the underlying mechanism. Our study identifies this relationship in urban China by applying a difference-in-differences empirical strategy and using the China Family Panel Survey. The results show that migration lowers neighbourhood trust levels by 0.473 from a sample mean of 6.692. We find that the declining effect is greater for rural–urban migrants than for within-urban migrants, and it is greater for rural–urban migrants who acquire urban hukou than for those who do not. We also show that rural–urban migration leads to an increase in trust in strangers. Together, these results support our hypothesis that the assimilation of the urbanism lifestyle is a critical mechanism through which migration undermines neighbourhood trust.

Peran Etika Bisnis dalam Perusahaan Bisnis di Era Globalisasi

When it comes to establishing relationships with others in the business world, ethics plays an important role. Business ethics plays an important role in determining the success or failure of a company. Practicing good corporate ethics can also improve communication and foster mutual trust between colleagues. In running a company, you have to focus on two things. The first is aware of and considers the needs and emotions of others. The second reason is to avoid avoiding other people, because corporate ethics vary widely between cultures and countries. The purpose of writing this article is to find out how Business Ethics in Business Companies in the Globalization Era. The author of this article uses observation techniques as a research strategy, as well as library research methods. Based on the discussion in this article, the level of trust that each member of the business community has with each other is influenced by business ethics. There are a variety of stakeholders impacting each other, including businesses, suppliers and end users. Each of these components must uphold ethical standards so that the foundation of trust is well maintained. Keywords: Bussiness,Ethics, Globalization, Company.

Trust in the science behind COVID-19 vaccines as a driver of vaccine acceptance in the United States, 2021–2023

ObjectivesTo evaluate changes in public trust in the science behind COVID-19 vaccines in the United States (US) from 2021 to 2023, and to assess how loss of a family member or close friend to COVID-19, influences this trust and vaccine acceptance. MethodsUsing stratified random sampling for key demographic variables, including age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, and education level, the study analyzes data from a series of cross-sectional surveys conducted in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Descriptive statistics were employed to summarize the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents and their levels of trust in science and vaccine acceptance. Weighted logistic regression models were applied to assess the relationships between trust in science, vaccine acceptance, and socio-demographic factors. These models controlled for potential confounding variables and allowed for the estimation of adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), highlighting the key predictors of vaccine acceptance and willingness to receive future recommended boosters. ResultsThe results indicate that trust in science remained relatively stable over the study period and continued to be a strong predictor of vaccine acceptance, which was higher among male respondents, those with university degrees, and those with higher than median income. Notably, the experience of personal loss was significantly related to an individual’s trust in science and vaccine acceptance. ConclusionsTrust in the science behind COVID-19 vaccines appears to have been a crucial factor in US vaccine acceptance, with respondents who expressed higher trust being significantly more likely to accept the vaccine and express willingness to take future boosters. To maintain and enhance public trust in vaccination programs, trust in health communication from public sources, particularly the CDC, must be strengthened, as trust in the CDC was also found to be significantly correlated with both vaccine acceptance and future booster uptake. Personal experiences of loss due to COVID-19 were important predictors of trust in science and vaccine acceptance, highlighting the need for public health communications to be sensitive to the emotional impact of loss and grief along with the diverse socio-economic and educational backgrounds of the US population.

Mathematical Modeling of the Dynamics of Trust in Automation

Trust in automation (TiA) is crucial for human-automation interactions, but traditionally measured statically via discrete survey data points. We developed a mathematical model capturing the dynamic nature of TiA, incorporating measurable components across different timescales, and validated it through experimental data. Our findings show that: (1) trust timescales are important for predicting automation usage, emphasizing trust’s key role in decision-making; (2) short-timescale trust significantly impacts overall trust dynamics, highlighting the importance of recent interactions; (3) trust levels are generally higher in highly reliable automation scenarios, though this pattern emerges after an initial evaluation period; and (4) automation type, implying varying workloads, does not significantly impact trust dynamics in highly reliable systems but fosters increased trust in lower-reliability systems. This study advances our understanding of trust dynamics in automation, contributing to more intuitive and trustworthy technology development.

Comparing the mental effects of interacting with farm animals and walking in a botanical garden.

Over the past two decades, farm animal-assisted therapies have become popular. However, the effects of farm animals on healthy people's mental states have not yet been investigated. In Study 1, we aimed to explore whether positive effects of human-animal interaction (HAI) can be detected in healthy farm volunteers even after short-term (2-3 hours) work with goats and goatlings on a goat farm. We found that the participants' state anxiety decreased (p < 0.001) while their trust levels increased (p < 0.001) after interacting with goats. Nevertheless, it is possible that time spent in nature alone can have a beneficial effect on well-being. Therefore, in Study 2, we compared the results of Study 1 with those of a similar short-term outdoor treatment, walking in a botanical garden as a visitor. Similar but smaller effects were found for garden visitors. Decreases in anxiety scores and increases in trust scores were more pronounced in farm volunteers (anxiety: 25% vs 13%, p < 0.001; trust: 13% vs 3%, p = 0.002) after the treatments. Overall, the results suggest that the novel experience of interacting with goats and goatlings has a more positive effect on the mental state of healthy humans than walking in a botanical garden. This finding offer a strong foundation for developing animal assisted therapy methods for individuals with short or long term mental problems, but they can also enhance the wellbeing of mentally healthy people.

A novel energy efficient QoS secure routing algorithm for WSNs

Quality of Service (QoS) routing protocol is a hot topic in the research field of wireless sensor networks (WSNs). However, the task of identifying an optimal path that simultaneously meets multiple QoS constraints is acknowledged as an NP-hard problem, with its complexity intensifying in proportion to the network’s nodal count. Therefore, a novel heuristic multi-objective trust routing method, the Levy Chaos Adaptive Snake Optimization-based Multi-Trust Routing Method (LCASO-MTRM), is proposed, aiming to enhance link bandwidth while simultaneously reducing latency, packet loss, and energy consumption. The proposed method incorporates innovative chaos and adaptive operators within the LCASO framework. The chaos operator enhances population diversity, expands the solution space, and accelerates the search process. Meanwhile, the adaptive operator improves convergence, enhances robustness, and effectively prevents stagnation. Additionally, this paper introduces a novel multi-objective QoS routing model that integrates a link trust mechanism, allowing for a more accurate assessment of link trust levels and a precise reflection of the current link status. The effectiveness of LCASO-MTRM is demonstrated through simulation comparisons with the Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IPSO), Improved Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (IABC), and Cloned Whale Optimization Algorithm (CWOA). Simulation results demonstrate that LCASO-MTRM significantly reduces energy consumption by 49.53%, latency by 22.56%, and packet loss by 40.21%, while increasing bandwidth by 6.13%, outperforming the other algorithms.

The social gradient in institutional trust from 2011–2019 in the general population in Norway

Abstract Background Trust is described as the glue of healthy societies. Although Norway is among the countries with the highest levels of trust in public institutions, the increasing socioeconomic differences observed may threaten levels of institutional trust. Therefore, we aimed to investigate such differences in the general population between 2011 and 2019. Methods A repeated cross-sectional study was conducted using data on the general population in Østfold county from 2011 (N = 16673) and 2019 (N = 15935). Differences in trust toward five public institutions (healthcare system, school system, labour and welfare administration (NAV), police, and municipal council) by educational level were investigated with Chi-square tests. Logbinomial regression analyses were used to examine potential changes in high trust over time. Gender and age were included in the analyses as control variables. Results A relatively high proportion of the general population reported high levels of trust to the health care system (2011: 71%; 2019:80%), police (2011: 73%; 2019:77%), and the school system (2011: 64%; 2019:66%), whereas a lower proportion reported high levels of trust to NAV (2011: 37%; 2019:41%) and the municipal council (2011: 45%; 2019:36%). Both in 2011 and 2019 a clear social gradient in institutional trust was found for all institutions (p &amp;lt; 0.05). There was a significant increase in the level of trust in the health care system (low education:RR=1,10; middle:RR=1,12; high:RR=1.06) and a significant decrease in trust in the community council (low:RR=0,77; middle:RR=0,80; high:RR=0,83) in all educational groups from 2011 to 2019. The level of trust in NAV increased significantly in the highest education groups, while a non-significant decrease was shown in the low educational group. Conclusions The persisting social gradient in institutional trust is worrying as trust is an important factor in ensuring inclusion, social capital, democracy, and health and wellbeing. Key messages • Institutional trust is an important factor in ensuring inclusion, social capital, democracy, and health and wellbeing. • The lower levels of institutional trust found in low educational groups could be of particular concern as these groups might be more dependent on the different parts of the welfare system.

Trust the People? Populism, Trust, and Support for Direct Democracy

Populism is commonly understood as a response to frustrations with the functioning of modern democracy, while the use of direct democratic mechanisms has been hailed as a remedy for the ailing of representative democracies. Indeed, populism’s emphasis on direct citizen participation in decision-making is tightly linked to its distrust of representative institutions and the political elite as the cornerstone of mediated representation. Trust, however, matters for any functioning democratic institutional arrangement, and we contend that its role warrants more attention when considering the viability of alternative modes of decision-making such as referendums, particularly in the nexus of populism–democracy. Using original public opinion surveys implemented in Argentina, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Spain, we distinguish among different objects of trust—elites, institutions, “the people,” or the society at large. We also explore citizens’ levels of trust in these objects and their association with institutional designs of direct democracy. Our results offer preliminary insights into the importance of horizontal and vertical trust relationships in shaping procedural preferences for different configurations of direct democracy.

Sense of community, life satisfaction and psychological distress among seniors – HUNT4 study, Norway

Abstract Background Strong sense of community with one’s neighbors may benefit psychosocial well-being. Moreover, local communities with high level of belonging and social cohesion can have a positive impact on public mental health. This study aims to investigate associations between sense of community and life satisfaction - at both an individual and local community level in a Norwegian county. Methods Data from Trøndelag Health Study 4 (HUNT4: 2017-2019) on 22 939 participants were linked to geographic data of residence from Statistics Norway. The basic statistical unit in Norwegian, known as “grunnkrets,” serves to identify participants’ local communities. These units are subdivisions of municipalities, covering geographically contiguous areas that typically include a few hundred inhabitants. This population-based study enables investigation of variation in sense of community, trust, life satisfaction and psychological distress on individual and community level. Results Seniors (median age 70.3 years) with strong sense of community with their neighbors had more than three times higher odds (95%CI 3.08-3.93) of high level of life satisfaction and less than 0.3 times lower odds (95%CI 0.26-0.33) of psychological distress symptoms vs those with low sense of community, adjusted to sociodemographic variables. The average sense of community varied between local communities (N = 284). At this local geographical unit, strong sense of community was associated with high level of trust, enjoying the neighborhood and high life satisfaction. Conclusions The study can inform public health policy to consider development of social infrastructures that bolster sense of community among seniors within neighborhoods. Policy and action plans targeting to increase the overall sense of community in neighborhoods may contribute to create mental health-promoting and age-friendly local communities in Norway. Key messages • At individual level, sense of community with neighbors are associated with life satisfaction and psychological distress among Norwegian seniors. • The average sense of community varies between geographic local areas and are associated with level of trust, enjoying the neighborhood, average life satisfaction, and psychological distress.