The Extension of Particularized Trust to Generalized Trust: The Moderating Role of Long-term Versus Short-term Orientation

The extension of particularized trust to generalized trust is an important factor in building a harmonious society. It is necessary to explore the construction path of generalized trust. The moderating effect of long- and short-term orientation at the nation level on the extension of particularized trust to generalized trust is an important node to observe the national cultural differences in the formation of generalized trust. Based on the joint World Value Survey/European Values Study database, this study examines the extension of particularized trust to generalized trust among 114,147 respondents in 73 countries or regions using Hierarchical Generalized Linear Model and Hierarchical Linear Model. The results showed that (1) individuals in countries or regions with more long-term orientation have lower levels of generalized trust. (2) Particularized trust significantly positively predicts generalized trust. (3) Long-term orientation at the nation level improved the positive extension of particularized trust (i.e. trust in neighbors, friends) to generalized trust. The results are beneficial to the establishment of amicable societies and are an important theoretical addition to the sources of generalized trust.