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This article contributes to comparative anthropological theory by analyzing the conceptual dynamics of episodic mistrust and selective system trust that emerge from ethnographic cases. Following the cue from recent studies that cast mistrust as a productive category in its own right, we explore this idea in the context of a complex modern society suffering from recurrent food safety scandals. We study how people in China allay anxieties about the food they and their dependents eat. In our cases, mistrust has no anchoring in an ideology of opacity and yet is shown to be highly socially productive as people deploy, anticipate and attempt to alleviate mistrusting attitudes. While constant mistrust may give rise to ambitions of total surveillance and control, the ethnography illustrates the benefits of episodic mistrust for actors when attempting to establish confidence in both personal relations and systems. The cases reveal the existence of selective trust in particular systems, which differs both from trust in direct personal relations and from social trust as measured in surveys. The article concludes that system trust must be qualified and conceptually disentangled from a general social trust, as selective trust in exclusive systems may allay anxieties exactly because it insulates the actor from involvement in more comprehensive systems that are seen as overly risky. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fostering trust in international relations is a critically important yet challenging endeavour. Over recent decades, trust deficits among states have intensified and become more widespread, resulting in a systemic condition of pervasive mistrust. The United States (US)-People's Republic of China (PRC) rivalry has played a pivotal role in generating this pervasive mistrust, as states pursue hedging strategies to mitigate their actual or potential vulnerabilities and safeguard their autonomy. A trust-building strategy is needed to counteract the detrimental effects of pervasive mistrust and bolster multilateralism in order to address critical global challenges in the 'dangerous 2020s'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This special issue is driven by a curiosity about the role of computational forms – practices, logics, technologies, and infrastructures – in social life and how they mediate issues of trust and mistrust: designated (mis)trust. Through a series of ethnographic encounters, its contributors describe how (mis)trust is rendered as an issue of concern by various actors as it is problematized, conceptualized, narrated, and designed for. In doing so, the papers analyse the work (mis)trust does in these settings, with a focus on the role of computational thinking within public discourses on democratic elections, the use of computational technologies in establishing bureaucratic order, the computational practices at play in the production of coding subjectivities, and the computational artefacts that assure data circulations within digital infrastructures. This introduction argues for a more expansive understanding of the relation between trust and mistrust in the digital age, countering the oftentimes default rendering of these concepts as antonymic. Instead, it argues that they live in a mutable relation. Despite prevailing technosolutionist approaches to (mis)trust, it cannot, we suggest, be solved for, resolved, or even eviscerated. Whatever actors (engineers, programmers, professionals etc) do in their efforts to 'fix' mistrust, it continues to mutate as a social form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is an established trope of popular discourse to suggest that the structures and opacity of digital environments are a major contributor to the crisis of mistrust that plagues contemporary society. This afterword instead suggests that such environments are neither uniquely or unprecedentedly untrustworthy. Drawing on the work of the contributors to the special issue, it examines the continuities and novelties of specifically digital mistrust and suggests they can be addressed through three central questions: 1) What kind of (mis)trust characterizes them? 2) How do people respond to this (mis)trust)? and 3) What kind of uses do they make of it? It argues that the answers to these questions provide the groundwork for developing a pragmatics of digital (mis)trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores data security practices of Aadhaar, India's biometrics-based national identification number, and the co-constitution of trust and mistrust that underlies its operation as a public data infrastructure. Based on 18-months of multi-sited ethnographic research, I document tensions around whether Aadhaar numbers were designed to be disclosed publicly or kept confidential. I further map identification practices around how residents share their Aadhaar numbers with other government and private organizations to access services. These practices to promote sharing of Aadhaar numbers broke down with growing anxieties over their public disclosure on government websites, lack of audits, and emerging forms of Aadhaar-based frauds. In response to this rising mistrust, an ex-member of Aadhaar's design team publicly disclosed his number in a tweet that went viral. The paper uses this tweet as a point of departure to: (1) provide an account of infrastructural concerns (grounded in design choices and events) that transformed Aadhaar from a public to a confidential number; and (2) illustrate that this transformation reflects how trust and mistrust co-constitute Aadhaar's data security practices. I conclude by illustrating how these infrastructural concerns imbricate to produce a spectrum of possibilities where identity numbers are simultaneously public and confidential, trusted and mistrusted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of recent transformations in cyber security assurance, a field of evaluation that aims to establish whether technical products are secure. I work from a set of narratives about problems with assurance, drawn from interviews with practitioners based in the UK. I focus on characterisation: the stories practitioners tell, the cast of characters that populate them, and how such stories act to problematise the domain. Mistrust, it is argued, can be understood in terms of the capacities of sceptical narratives to efface the power of security certifications to be taken on 'face value.' A text-based view of mistrust is thus developed that can be differentiated from the conventional disposition-centred view. Examining mistrust, then, leads us to ask not how to change dispositions to make them 'more trusting,' but rather to critical questions about the palette of characters that feature in cyber security. I close the essay by offering a commentary on the way characterisation leads to the anticipation of experts in formulations of policy and on the possible 'counter-characterisation' that might be developed, for instance around 'caring' characters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Seroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in the postvaccination period in Kenya remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG and evaluate Covid-19 vaccination uptake in a university setting in Nairobi. Methods: This cross-sectional study assayed serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A structured questionnaire was used to determine vaccine uptake, vaccine hesitancy and reasons for hesitancy. Results: A total of 189 participants were enrolled (median age, 21 years; female, 50.8%). The seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 was 12.7% for IgM and 87.8% for IgG. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers were higher among the vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated individuals (p < 0.001, U = 2817.5), females vs. males (p = 0.024, U = 3616), and those vaccinated ≤ 6 months before the study vs. those vaccinated >1 year earlier (p = 0.002, H = 12.359). The vaccination hesitancy rate was 43.4% and the underlying reasons included mistrust (22.4%), health concerns (19.7%), and lack of information (18.4%). Discussion: The high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG is an indication of high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 either through natural infection or through vaccination. The high vaccine hesitancy noted necessitates community engagement, and public education to dispel myths and misinformation prior to roll out of new vaccines and other health interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We explore a cluster of epistemic vices that lead us to refrain from trusting when we should. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forced migration always involves dramatic life changes, but with converted asylum seekers, these changes become especially devastating. Conversion entails building relationships with local religious groups while former social ties usually get severed. Typically, forced migrants seek support from friends, family and relatives. For converted asylum seekers, these bases of security often turn into sources of psychological violence and threats. We examine how converted asylum seekers and members of the congregations they join experience and make sense of trust. We have interviewed representatives of both groups to understand the role of trust in their relationships and in relation to other actors involved in the asylum process. Methodologically, we test Frederiksen’s distinction between three dimensions of trust (relations, objects and situations) on an empirical case and develop this analytical tool further. The findings emphasize the complex and dynamic role that proximity, affects and temporality play in relation to trust. Theoretically, we offer a definition of trust that emphasizes affects and ascribed moral agency instead of belief in the good will of another toward oneself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between transparency and trust in AI. Traditional interpersonal trust attributes are considered mediators between transparency and trust. However, in the context of AI, the role of trust attributes has been redefined. Transparency is divided into accuracy, clarity, and disclosure, whereas trust in AI is identified through functionality, helpfulness, and predictability. The survey analysis and experimental evidence revealed the dynamic relationships between these factors. Accuracy and clarity influence the overall trust in AI by alleviating distrust only when interacting with functionality and helpfulness, respectively. Furthermore, predictability serves as a mediator, diminishing the mistrust between AI transparency and the overall trust in AI. The human capability to interpret information provided by AI transparency enhances this mediation. This study not only enhances understanding within the AI domain but also contributes significantly to the nuanced comprehension of the complex relationship between AI transparency and trust in AI, expanding previous simplistic interpretations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of political polarization and disagreement within the United States and other democracies indicates an erosion of the social contract, a deterioration exacerbated by the balkanization of social media, that can negatively impact our social relationships. Recent anti–Critical Race Theory (CRT) narratives in education provide insights into how policy narratives can be used to sow distrust in an educational context. In this paper Jane Lo and candace moore argue for the ways policy narratives can sow distrust as opposed to mistrust. Mistrust points to an ongoing process of determining trustworthiness, while distrust connotes a more decisive and deliberate lack of trust in a person or institution. Lo and moore argue that educational research should pay more attention to the building of trust or mistrust in schools in the current context, where the anti‐CRT policy narrative, through amplifying and manipulating existing anxieties and fears in order to motivate political action, capitalizes on and seeks to reinforce the natural mistrust of schooling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Referring to Niklas Luhmann’s theory, this brief commentary on the text by Eyal et al. (2024) argues that trust — compared to distrust — increases the possibilities available to the decision-maker. Those who trust can keep more possibilities open and nevertheless decide, because they do not need to know all the details. This “controlled indifference” would be especially valuable in our society, where the multiplication of risks requires us to constantly make decisions under conditions of uncertainty — that is, incomplete information. When the awareness of risks increases, however, trust tends to decrease regardless of the competence of decision-makers or the transparency of decisions, because the increase in information highlights the complexity of the factors involved, and the decision to trust appears itself increasingly risky.

The Relevance. The initial manifestations of trust were recorded in the political philosophy of Ancient Greece and Ancient China, on the basis of which thinkers determined the interconnection and interdependence of relations between government and society. Further developing in line with political sociology, trust as the principle of “fides” (“faith”) from the Roman law was conceptualized by M. Weber as an “emotional product” of a social contract, violation of the terms of which does not carry sanctions, with the exception of the loss of business reputation. The category of trust was significantly enriched during the development of sociology of the 20th – early 21st centuries, and thanks to the works of P. Sztompka and F. Fukuyama, it gained understanding of the conditions for sustainable development of society in conditions of uncertainty, in which the individual proceeds from the “credit” of confidence in the respectable behavior of another and absolute confidence in one's own actions. In recent years, a “crisis of confidence” in science as a social institution in modern society has been recorded.The problem of the research is to identify the peculiarities of understanding the category of “trust” by the classics of sociological science and their applicability in modern science.The goal of the research is to study the relationship between the dynamics of trust in Sociology in the scientific community and in science as a social institution as a whole.The methodological basis of the reseearch is a systematic approach and general methods of scientific knowledge, such as analysis, synthesis, generalization.The Research results. The classics of sociological science have enriched the motivational, value and political meanings of the concept of «trust» in modern science.

Abstract Background Sublingual buprenorphine, approved for treatment of opioid use disorder since 2002, is most commonly available in co-formulation with naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist minimally absorbed when sublingual (SL) buprenorphine/naloxone is taken as prescribed; it is thought to reduce potential for misuse via intravenous administration. However, growing data and clinical experience demonstrate that previously accepted assumptions about the pharmacokinetics of these medications may not apply to all patients. Case presentation We present a patient whose adverse post-administration side effects on SL buprenorphine/naloxone resolved with transition to SL buprenorphine monoproduct. Discussion Naloxone can be detected in nearly all patients taking SL buprenorphine/naloxone, though with apparent variability in clinical effect. In a minority of patients, naloxone can contribute to adverse and potentially treatment-limiting side effects. Furthermore, the naloxone component is commonly misunderstood by patients and providers and can foster mistrust in the therapeutic relationship if providers are perceived to be withholding a more tolerable formulation. Prescribers should have a low threshold to offer buprenorphine alone when clinically appropriate.

Introduction: Corona virus has not only affected the biological existence of man, but also threatened our social existence under the tremendous pressure of medical panic and social isolation. This epidemic has led to massive loss of life and an unprecedented economic, social and cultural crisis, with far-reaching social impacts. Research objectives: The purpose of this research is to analyze the lived experience of the citizens of Isfahan about the consequences of the corona virus on their lives and the impact of this epidemic on the reflexivity experienced in this era. Research question: This research seeks to answer the question that What experience do citizens have of reflexivity in the era of Corona and what aspects of their daily life have they reflected and reconsidered? Research method: The current research has used the qualitative method of phenomenology. For this purpose, 30 citizens of Isfahan in different age, occupation and base groups were selected and subjected to in-depth interviews. The data were analyzed using. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates how German volunteers navigate the often conflicting and emotionally loaded European practices and discourses of removal when interacting with Senegalese returnees in Senegal. Following male Senegalese returnees and female German volunteers, it analyses the affective long-term entanglements the volunteers engage in to support Senegalese men after they have left Europe. It illustrates the importance of emotion work as volunteers deal with the multidirectional circulation of mistrust and frustration between returnees, institutions and donors in the return migration industry. In the circulation of affects in these engagements, mistrust is at times transformed into trust but may also fall back into suspicion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sublingual buprenorphine, approved for treatment of opioid use disorder since 2002, is most commonly available in co-formulation with naloxone. Naloxone is an opioid antagonist minimally absorbed when sublingual (SL) buprenorphine/naloxone is taken as prescribed; it is thought to reduce potential for misuse via intravenous administration. However, growing data and clinical experience demonstrate that previously accepted assumptions about the pharmacokinetics of these medications may not apply to all patients. Case presentation: We present a patient whose adverse post-administration side effects on SL buprenorphine/naloxone resolved with transition to SL buprenorphine monoproduct. Discussion: Naloxone can be detected in nearly all patients taking SL buprenorphine/naloxone, though with apparent variability in clinical effect. In a minority of patients, naloxone can contribute to adverse and potentially treatment-limiting side effects. Furthermore, the naloxone component is commonly misunderstood by patients and providers and can foster mistrust in the therapeutic relationship if providers are perceived to be withholding a more tolerable formulation. Prescribers should have a low threshold to offer buprenorphine alone when clinically appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This scoping review study was conducted with the aim of identifying dimensions of trust in medical care, common trust subjects, and medical trust correlates among available instruments. Methods: We carried out a scoping review of literature through Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Google Scholar engine, and various information sources of grey literature, to identify eligible studies up to 2023. We merely included psychometric studies in these areas. Non-psychometrics studies were excluded. Two assessors independently and carefully chose papers and abstracted records for qualitative exploration. Results: Fifty-two studies (n = 37228 participants) were included in the review. The majority of the participants 67 % (24943) were adults (= 18). One-dimensionality trust was found in 36 % (19) of trust in medical care studies, while multidimensionality was identified in 64 % (33) of the studies. Ten categories of trust in medicine correlates or associates were identified. In terms of trust scales subjects, about 71 % (37) of the scales measured trust in healthcare professions, 14 % (7) health care systems, and the rest were about emergency department, trauma care emergency department, health care team, technology, authorities, telemedicine, insurer, COVID-19 prevention policies, performance, and general trust. Conclusion: Various tools have been developed and validated in the field of trust in healthcare, and several domains have been identified. Trust in medicine is correlated by a variety of factors such as patient characteristics, healthcare provider factors, healthcare organization features, health conditions, and social influences. It is suggested that researchers pay more attention to the most commonly known dimensions in preparing tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If akrasia is acting against reason, then we might say that we are now in an akratic situation with regard to climate change. Indeed, we recognize its existence and give great credit to the sciences concerned, and climate skeptics are few. But our actions waver between non-existence and inadequacy. Why? In fact, trust in science is undermined by a discrediting of reason. « Technique » is overvalued for better or for worse, and the ethics of its choices forgotten. The recourse to politics obscures the decisive importance of society, as this crisis affects everyone's private behavior. Finally, fear and mistrust prevent us from calmly accepting the uncertainty inherent in knowledge and life. How might we correct this akrasia? By returning to a fallibilist, realistic epistemology, based on truth, on the objectivity of facts, and supported by an exercise of intellectual virtues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented the importance of vaccination as a pivotal strategy for controlling its spread. However, vaccine hesitancy poses a significant barrier to achieving widespread immunization in the United States. This systematic review utilizes the 5C model to examine the factors contributing to hesitancy, which include confidence in vaccines, complacency about disease risk, calculations of individual benefit, convenience of vaccination, and collective responsibility for the protection of others. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search across several relevant databases and the gray literature, identifying 544 studies that used quantitative and qualitative methods to explore COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in the general U.S. population. Results: This review identifies a complex interplay of factors affecting hesitancy, such as concerns over vaccine safety and efficacy, misinformation and conspiracy theories, demographic variables, and socioeconomic conditions. Key strategies for increasing vaccine uptake include transparent and effective communication along with proactive community engagement. Conclusions: To effectively mitigate vaccine hesitancy, it is crucial to understand its multifaceted causes. Tailored interventions that consider socioeconomic and cultural contexts and prioritize clear communication, community involvement, and specific strategies to address unique concerns can enhance vaccine acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical, cultural, and social trauma, along with social determinants of health (SDOH), shape health outcomes, attitudes toward medicine, government, and health behaviors among communities of color in the United States (U.S.). This study explores how trauma and fear influence COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Black/African American, Latinx/Indigenous Latin American, and Native American/Indigenous communities. Leveraging community-based participatory research methods, we conducted 11 virtual focus groups from January to March of 2021 with Black/African American (n = 4), Latinx/Indigenous Latin American (n = 4), and Native American/Indigenous (n = 3) identifying community members in Inland Southern California. Our team employed rapid analytic approaches (e.g., template and matrix analysis) to summarize data and identify themes across focus groups and used theories of intersectionality and trauma to meaningfully interpret study findings. Historical, cultural, and social trauma induce fear and mistrust in public health and medical institutions influencing COVID-19 testing and vaccination decisions in communities of color in Inland Southern California. This work showcases the need for culturally and structurally sensitive community-based health interventions that attend to the historical, cultural, and social traumas unique to racial/ethnic minority populations in the U.S. that underlie fear and mistrust of medical, scientific, and governmental institutions.

Background First Nations peoples face disproportionate vaccine-preventable risks due to social, economic, and healthcare disparities. Additionally, during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was also mistrust and hesitancy about the COVID-19 vaccines among First Nations peoples. These are rooted in factors such as colonial histories, discriminatory medical practices, and unreliable information. Objective To examine strategies to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among First Nations peoples globally. Methods A systematic review was conducted. Searches were undertaken in OVID MEDLINE, OVID EMBASE, OVID PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Informit. Searches were date limited from 2020. Items included in this review provided primary data that discussed strategies used to address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in First Nations peoples. Results We identified several key strategies across four countries – Australia, the USA, Canada, and Guatemala in seventeen papers. These included understanding communities’ needs, collaborating with communities, tailored messaging, addressing underlying systemic traumas and social health gaps, and early logistics planning. Conclusion The inclusion of First Nations-centred strategies to reduce COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is essential to delivering an equitable pandemic response. Implementation of these strategies in the continued effort to vaccinate against COVID-19 and in future pandemics is integral to ensure that First Nations peoples are not disproportionately affected by disease.

The implementation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is crucial for eliminating cervical cancer in India. The infodemic, characterised by misleading information, could hinder the successful implementation of the initiative. Misinformation related to the HPV vaccine, such as rumours, has been reported and circulated, contributing to an alarming pattern of vaccine hesitancy observed on social media. This study aimed to identify the public sentiment towards HPV vaccination based on the ‘Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD)’ framework through geospatial, content and sentiment analysis. A total of 1,487 tweets were extracted. After preprocessing, 1010 tweets were identified for sentiment and content analysis. The sentiments expressed towards the HPV vaccine are mixed, with a generally positive outlook on the vaccines. Within the population, there is a pervasive proliferation of misinformation, primarily focusing on vaccine safety and efficacy, contentious subjects, ethical considerations, and a prevalent sense of uncertainty in selecting the appropriate vaccine. These observations are crucial for developing targeted strategies to address public concerns and enhance vaccination rates. The insights gained from these results will guide policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and public health organisations to implement evidence-based interventions, thereby countering vaccine hesitancy and improving public health outcomes.

AbstractBased on a critical examination of untapped provincial archives, contemporary periodical sources, and extensive field interviews conducted with selected local elders in the border areas, this study explores entanglements between regional diplomacy, political tensions hampered by the violence of various armed factions in the Metema-Humera border regions, the dynamics of cross-border contraband trade that involved a diverse array of actors, state failures in enforcing law in the border areas, and enduring impacts on the border regions, 1974–1991. The study also explores the patterns and dynamics of cross-border contraband trade, major actors in the contraband trade, routes, networks, types of contraband items, and the profound impact on borderland communities and state building projects. Cross-border contraband through Metema-Humera has been practiced for longer periods, but the situation was more complicated during the Derg regime (1974–1991) due to entanglements between regional diplomacy, fragile border governance, state failures in enforcing laws in the border areas, armed resistance in the border areas, and the involvement of a diverse array of actors in the contraband trade. The entangled regional diplomacy, mistrust, and suspicion that characterized inter-state relations between Ethiopia and Sudan in the post-1974 period created an enabling environment for cross-border contraband trade, which ultimately contributed to fragile border governance, social and economic crises in Metema-Humera borderland communities. These were exacerbated by the presence of armed movements in the border areas and the involvement of various interest groups.

IntroductionSeroprevalence of anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (anti-SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in the postvaccination period in Kenya remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG and evaluate Covid-19 vaccination uptake in a university setting in Nairobi.MethodsThis cross-sectional study assayed serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. A structured questionnaire was used to determine vaccine uptake, vaccine hesitancy and reasons for hesitancy.ResultsA total of 189 participants were enrolled (median age, 21 years; female, 50.8%). The seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 was 12.7% for IgM and 87.8% for IgG. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG titers were higher among the vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated individuals (p < 0.001, U = 2817.5), females vs. males (p = 0.024, U = 3616), and those vaccinated ≤ 6 months before the study vs. those vaccinated >1 year earlier (p = 0.002, H = 12.359). The vaccination hesitancy rate was 43.4% and the underlying reasons included mistrust (22.4%), health concerns (19.7%), and lack of information (18.4%).DiscussionThe high seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG is an indication of high exposure to SARS-CoV-2 either through natural infection or through vaccination. The high vaccine hesitancy noted necessitates community engagement, and public education to dispel myths and misinformation prior to roll out of new vaccines and other health interventions.

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to healthcare system changes aimed at minimizing disease transmission that impacted experiences with obstetric healthcare. Objective: To explore experiences of clinicians providing obstetric care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Study Design: Qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with five nurse practitioners and 16 obstetrical physicians providing a mix of outpatient and inpatient obstetric care during the COVID-19 pandemic in a mid-sized, Midwestern city in the United States. Interviews elucidated challenges and facilitators of obstetric care provision and vaccination of pregnant patients against COVID-19 during the pandemic. Transcripts were coded inductively then deductively using the Health Equity Implementation Framework (HEIF), which integrates a disparities framework and implementation framework to highlight multilevel factors that influence obstetric care. Thematic analysis was conducted, and thematic saturation was reached. Results: We interviewed 21 clinicians. Clinicians recounted personal challenges such as social isolation and burnout that could be countered by social support. Challenges within the clinical encounter included implementation of infection mitigation efforts, vaccine counseling, and limitations of telehealth. However, when successfully implemented, telehealth facilitated care and circumvented barriers. Clinicians cited challenges at the healthcare system level such as rapidly evolving knowledge and recommendations, restrictive visitor policies, personnel shortage, and inadequate institutional resources to support pandemic-related stressors. However, interdisciplinary care and guidelines available for clinicians facilitated care. Clinicians reported that challenges at the societal level included financial strain, lack of childcare, medical mistrust, politicization of medicine, misinformation, and racism. Societal-level facilitators included insurance access, community outreach, positive policy changes, and fostering trust in medicine. Conclusion: The pandemic produced unique stressors and exacerbated existing challenges for clinicians providing obstetric care. Applying the HEIF to the findings emphasizes the influence of societal factors on all other levels. Identified facilitators can inform interventions to address stressors in obstetric care that have resulted from the changed sociopolitical landscape of the pandemic.

Abstract Background Trust in the healthcare system may impact adherence to recommended healthcare practices, including willingness to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in the associations between trust in the U.S. healthcare system and willingness to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic. Methods This cross-sectional study used data from the REACH-US study, a nationally representative online survey conducted among a diverse sample of U.S. adults from January 26, 2021-March 3, 2021 (N = 5,121). Multivariable logistic regression estimated the associations between trust in the U.S. healthcare system (measured as “Always”, “Most of the time”, “Sometimes/Almost Never”, and “Never”) and willingness to test for COVID-19, and willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Racial/ethnic differences in these associations were examined using interaction terms and multigroup analyses. Results Always trusting the U.S. healthcare system was highest among Hispanic/Latino Spanish Language Preference (24.9%) and Asian (16.7%) adults and lowest among Multiracial (8.7%) and Black/African American (10.7%) adults. Always trusting the U.S. healthcare system, compared to never, was associated with greater willingness to test for COVID-19 (AOR: 3.20, 95% CI: 2.38–4.30) and greater willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (AOR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.97–3.65). Conclusions Trust in the U.S. healthcare system was associated with greater willingness to test for COVID-19 and receive the COVID-19 vaccine, however, trust in the U.S. healthcare system was lower among most marginalized racial/ethnic groups. Efforts to establish a more equitable healthcare system that increases trust may encourage COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Historical, cultural, and social trauma, along with social determinants of health (SDOH), shape health outcomes, attitudes toward medicine, government, and health behaviors among communities of color in the United States (U.S.). This study explores how trauma and fear influence COVID-19 testing and vaccination among Black/African American, Latinx/Indigenous Latin American, and Native American/Indigenous communities. Leveraging community-based participatory research methods, we conducted 11 virtual focus groups from January to March of 2021 with Black/African American (n = 4), Latinx/Indigenous Latin American (n = 4), and Native American/Indigenous (n = 3) identifying community members in Inland Southern California. Our team employed rapid analytic approaches (e.g., template and matrix analysis) to summarize data and identify themes across focus groups and used theories of intersectionality and trauma to meaningfully interpret study findings. Historical, cultural, and social trauma induce fear and mistrust in public health and medical institutions influencing COVID-19 testing and vaccination decisions in communities of color in Inland Southern California. This work showcases the need for culturally and structurally sensitive community-based health interventions that attend to the historical, cultural, and social traumas unique to racial/ethnic minority populations in the U.S. that underlie fear and mistrust of medical, scientific, and governmental institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores some of the impacts of Brexit on governance in Northern Ireland. A devolved region administered by a fragile and often fractious consociational system, Brexit, and, in particular, the fundamental legislative mechanism through which Brexit is implemented, the December 2020 Northern Ireland Protocol, have worked to increase division across several levels - the inter-governmental, that of regional party politics, and that of grassroots, inter and intra-communal relations. To complicate matters further, that distrust has also markedly manifested itself in the growth of non-aligned political dynamics. Drawing on the work of Pierre Rosanvallon, I suggest that these developments can be conceptualized with reference to ideas about counter-politics and distrust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many existing studies and researches have shown the link between vaccine hesitancy and rurality. To test the validity of this assertion, this paper uses COVID-19 vaccine as a reference case and tries to understand vaccine hesitancy in urban communities through the conceptual lens of post-truth. The argument enunciated in the paper is based on data gathered through an online survey, conducted from May to October 2021. Thematically, this paper identified two themes: 'mistrust' and 'misinformation', revealing the coupling effect of the themes and the intersection of vaccine hesitancy and post-truth in two urban (Islamabad and Rawalpindi) communities of Pakistan. While the discussions were contextual, this paper epistemically shows that the reality of COVID-19 was blurred by misinformation which translated into cynicism, mistrust and hesitancy for COVID-19 vaccine and the outcome proved why health security must be taken seriously, especially in the post-truth era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Understanding how attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 vaccination have changed over time is essential for identifying areas where targeted messaging and interventions can improve vaccination confidence and uptake. Using data from multiple waves of the nationally representative U.S. Census Bureau's Household Pulse Survey collected from January 2021 to May 2023, we assessed reasons for the non-vaccination of adults, adolescents, and children using the Health Belief Model as the framework for understanding behavior. Among unvaccinated adults, perceived vulnerability increased from 11.9% to 44.1%, attitudinal factors/mistrust increased from 28.6% to 53.4%, and lack of cue to action increased from 7.5% to 9.7% from January 2021 to May 2022. On the other hand, safety/efficacy concerns decreased from 74.0% to 60.9%, and logistical barriers to vaccination decreased from 9.1% to 3.4% during the same time period. Regarding reasons for non-vaccination of youth, perceived vulnerability increased from 32.8% to 40.0%, safety/efficacy concerns decreased from 73.9% to 60.4%, and lack of cue to action increased from 10.4% to 13.4% between September 2021 and May 2023. While safety/efficacy concerns and logistic barriers have decreased, increases in perceived vulnerability to COVID-19, mistrust, and lack of cues to action suggest that more efforts are needed to address these barriers to vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Politische Vierteljahresschrift is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Using hand‐collected data from China's split share structure reform (SSSR) program, we show that foreign institutional investors' certification mitigates domestic minority shareholders' mistrust of controlling shareholders' reform plans and facilitates the implementation of the SSSR. Domestic minority shareholders cast fewer dissenting votes, complete the SSSR more quickly but with lower compensation, and achieve higher stock return reactions in reforming firms with higher foreign institutional ownership. Foreign institutional investors' prestige is a key factor in aligning domestic minority shareholders toward seeking long‐term payoffs. Our work reveals the positive role of foreign institutional investors' certification in a salient reform of corporate governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sample of 819 female college students completed measures of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), adult sexual victimization (ASV), mistrust, trauma-related symptoms, and drinking problems. Using a serial indirect effects model, we hypothesized that CSA would be associated with ASV through the indirect effects of mistrust → trauma-related symptoms → drinking problems. The results indicated that this serial indirect effects model was significant. When the order of the first two indirect effects was reversed, the model was not significant. These results highlight the importance of examining potential factors involved in sexual revictimization in tandem rather than in isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research about science and publics in the COVID-19 pandemic often focuses on public trust and on identifying and correcting public attitudes. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 209 residents in six countries—Austria, Bolivia, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and Portugal—this article uses the concept of performativity to explore how participants understand, and relate to science, in the COVID-19 context. By performativity, we mean the ways by which participants understand themselves as particular sorts of publics through identification with, and differentiation from, various other actors in matters that are perceived as controversies surrounding science: COVID-19 vaccination, media communication of science, and the interactions between governments and scientists. The criteria used to construct the similarities and differences among publics were heterogeneous and fluid, showing how epistemic beliefs about the nature of, and trust in, scientific knowledge are intermingled with social and cultural memberships embedded in specific contexts and across disparate places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates the association between Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) and Problematic Internet Use (PIU) in a sample of 358 cisgender emerging adults (74.58% females assigned at birth; Mage = 25.02, SD = 2.60; age range: 18–29 years), with a specific focus on the roles of various stances of Epistemic Trust, including Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity. The aim is to explore the complexities of these relationships and their implications for the psychological well-being of this population. We computed a mediation model to examine the relationships among PIU as the dependent variable, FoMO as the predictor, and Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity as the mediating factors. Covariates such as age, gender, and sexual orientation were also considered in the analysis. The results revealed significant indirect effects for both Mistrust and Credulity. Specifically, higher levels of FoMO were associated with increased Mistrust and Credulity, leading to greater PIU. In contrast, the indirect effect of Trust was not significant. Also, FoMO had a direct effect on PIU. The results highlight the importance of considering Mistrust and Credulity as potential risk factors for Internet addiction in emerging adults. These findings have practical implications for clinical practice, psychological assessment, and intervention strategies, emphasizing the need to address FoMO and its associated vulnerabilities within different therapeutic settings. By doing so, mental health professionals can better support the psychological well-being of emerging adults and assist them in navigating the challenges inherent to this crucial developmental stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trust in the healthcare system may impact adherence to recommended healthcare practices, including willingness to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19. This study examined racial/ethnic differences in the associations between trust in the U.S. healthcare system and willingness to test for and vaccinate against COVID-19 during the first year of the pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the REACH-US study, a nationally representative online survey conducted among a diverse sample of U.S. adults from January 26, 2021-March 3, 2021 (N = 5,121). Multivariable logistic regression estimated the associations between trust in the U.S. healthcare system (measured as “Always”, “Most of the time”, “Sometimes/Almost Never”, and “Never”) and willingness to test for COVID-19, and willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Racial/ethnic differences in these associations were examined using interaction terms and multigroup analyses. Results: Always trusting the U.S. healthcare system was highest among Hispanic/Latino Spanish Language Preference (24.9%) and Asian (16.7%) adults and lowest among Multiracial (8.7%) and Black/African American (10.7%) adults. Always trusting the U.S. healthcare system, compared to never, was associated with greater willingness to test for COVID-19 (AOR: 3.20, 95% CI: 2.38–4.30) and greater willingness to receive the COVID-19 vaccine (AOR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.97–3.65). Conclusions: Trust in the U.S. healthcare system was associated with greater willingness to test for COVID-19 and receive the COVID-19 vaccine, however, trust in the U.S. healthcare system was lower among most marginalized racial/ethnic groups. Efforts to establish a more equitable healthcare system that increases trust may encourage COVID-19 preventive behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trust is vital to public confidence in health and science, yet there is no consensus on the most useful way to conceptualize, define, measure, or intervene on trust and its related constructs (e.g., mistrust, distrust, and trustworthiness). In this review, we synthesize literature from this wide-ranging field that has conceptual roots in racism, marginalization, and other forms of oppression. We summarize key definitions and conceptual frameworks and offer guidance to scholars aiming to measure these constructs. We also review how trust-related constructs are associated with health outcomes, describe interventions in this field, and provide recommendations for building trust and institutional trustworthiness and advancing health equity. We ultimately call for future efforts to focus on improving the trustworthiness of public health professionals, scientists, health care providers, and systems instead of aiming to increase trust in these entities as they currently exist and behave. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given COVID-19's disproportionate impact on populations that identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States, researchers and advocates have recommended that health systems and institutions deepen their engagement with community-based organizations (CBOs) with longstanding relationships with these communities. However, even as CBOs leverage their earned trust to promote COVID-19 vaccination, health systems and institutions must also address underlying causes of health inequities more broadly. In this commentary, we discuss key lessons learned about trust from our participation in the U.S. Equity-First Vaccination Initiative, an effort funded by The Rockefeller Foundation to promote COVID-19 vaccination equity. The first lesson is that trust cannot be "surged" to meet the needs of the moment until it is no longer deemed important; rather, it must predate and outlast the crisis. Second, to generate long-term change, health systems cannot simply rely on CBOs to bridge the trust gap; instead, they must directly address the root causes of this gap among BIPOC populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Babylon Center for Humanities Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article is devoted to the phenomenon of trust in terms of the resource to achieve interethnic consolidation in the Russian regional community. The article indicates that trust allows developing a communication mechanism and defining how effectively social relations are built. Besides, the author uses traditional sociological research methods: structuralist and institutional approaches, social capital theory. Trust is one of the socio-psychological foundations of social harmony that determines the dynamics of basic social processes development, the integrity of society, its ability to overcome the arising difficulties. With the help of the array of secondary data analysis presented on the websites of domestic sociological centres, it is shown how in the Russian society the importance of national consolidation is clearly increasing. It is based on the increased trust at all levels of relationships: interpersonal, intergroup, institutional, and regional. This is due to the fact that Russia is one of the most multinational states in the world. If citizens do not share certain common goals and objectives, then this, as a rule, will negatively affect the interethnic consolidation of the regional or entire community of the country most. Undoubtedly, the phenomenon of trust is especially important in the transforming society. It exists in the multiethical environment of citizens and, first of all, directly at the regional level of the institutions, functioning in Russia. Trust is an indicator of values similarity and values systems of the Russian population. Today there are many examples of the decrease of trust to certain institutions, however, the approval rating regarding the activities of the President, the Government of the country, the Russian army is increasing. Thus, a positive attitude of Russians towards the political system and power structures is recorded. The same trends have begun to be noted more often in the field of interethnic consolidation and in relation to the institutions of the regional community.

Introduction: Epistemic trust, or trust in transmitted knowledge, has been proposed as a critical factor in psychopathology and psychotherapy. This study aimed at evaluating the psychometric properties of the Epistemic Trust, Mistrust, and Credulity Questionnaire (ETMCQ) in Iran. Method: Data were collected from 906 participants. Along with the ETMCQ, measures of mentalizing, mindfulness, perspective‐taking, attachment, emotion dysregulation, and borderline personality disorder were administered. Confirmatory factor analysis and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were used to determine factorial structure. Results: The ESEM model showed an acceptable fit and outperformed the confirmatory model. A 14‐item version of the ETMCQ was retained after examining item performance. Our findings also established criterion‐related validity for mistrust and credulity, an acceptable internal consistency for credulity, discriminant power for mistrust and credulity in detecting positive screens for borderline personality disorder, and measurement invariance across sexes. Conclusion: This study provides evidence for the cross‐cultural applicability of the ETMCQ. Nonetheless, the validity of the trust and internal consistency of the mistrust subscale require particular attention in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The present investigation delves into the effectiveness of two distinct therapeutic modalities, namely Mentalization-Based Treatment (MBT) and Positive Psychology Intervention (PPI), in tackling issues of mistrust and alienation among homeless females. Methods: The methodology employed in this study was of a semi-experimental nature, characterized by an experimental design utilizing a pre-test/post-test approach with a control group. Participant selection was carried out through a random sampling technique, resulting in the recruitment of 60 individuals who were subsequently allocated randomly into three groups, each comprising 20 participants. Data collection utilized the Early Maladaptive Schemas (EMS) instrument. To assess the research hypotheses, multivariate analysis of covariance and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were conducted. Results: Following a meticulous analysis of post-intervention outcomes, a notable discrepancy in scores between the MBT and PPI cohorts was observed. Specifically, the MBT cohort exhibited a significant enhancement in contrast to the control group, while no substantial variance was detected between the PPI cohort and the control group. Conclusions: As a result, it is deduced from this study that MBT surpasses PPI significantly in alleviating the mistrust and alienation schema prevalent in homeless women. In view of these findings, it is recommended that organizations supporting homeless women, particularly single mothers, contemplate the implementation of the Mentalization-Based Treatment strategy to augment their cognitive schemas and foster psychological well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Health system mistrust, a public health issue, is poorly understood in Nigeria, a country with a fragile health system. Understanding this public health issue will inform mitigation strategies against it. Thus, this study explores mistrust of the Nigerian health system and offers practical implications for mitigating it. Subject and Methods: Through a qualitative method, data were collected from 54 Nigerians, comprising diverse professionals and non-professionals in the health system. Data saturation was observed, and thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Results: Participants report mistrust of infrastructure in the Nigerian health system. The mistrust of infrastructure is linked to a jeopardized educational system, low morale of health workers due to poor remuneration, lack of professionalism among health workers, misinterpretation of laboratory investigation results leading to misdiagnosis, dilapidated medical equipment, unavailability of ambulances, inaccessibility to essential services, shortage of health workers, absence of patient-centered care, and poor healthcare financing. Further, participants report mistrust of, pharmaceutical products due to substandard drugs in the health system, government and privately owned health facilities, documentation of patients' information due to incompleteness in the documentation, and confidentiality of patients' information. Trust levels in the health system limit utilization of health services and link to health inequities. To strengthen their trust in the health system, participants recommend surveillance efforts from the government, and infrastructural development including the construction of standard health facilities, computerization of operations in health care, provision of up-to-date medical equipment, employment and training/retraining of health workers, and constant water and power supply. Participants also recommend healthcare financing, investment in health research and education, a multidisciplinary approach to health care, and discouragement of medical tourism. Conclusion: This study adds to the understanding of health system mistrust. Findings offer practical implications for mitigating mistrust of the Nigerian health system. Avenues of inquiry for future work are also offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is crucial for eliminating cervical cancer in India. The infodemic, characterised by misleading information, could hinder the successful implementation of the initiative. Misinformation related to the HPV vaccine, such as rumours, has been reported and circulated, contributing to an alarming pattern of vaccine hesitancy observed on social media. This study aimed to identify the public sentiment towards HPV vaccination based on the 'Behavioral and Social Drivers (BeSD)' framework through geospatial, content and sentiment analysis. A total of 1,487 tweets were extracted. After preprocessing, 1010 tweets were identified for sentiment and content analysis. The sentiments expressed towards the HPV vaccine are mixed, with a generally positive outlook on the vaccines. Within the population, there is a pervasive proliferation of misinformation, primarily focusing on vaccine safety and efficacy, contentious subjects, ethical considerations, and a prevalent sense of uncertainty in selecting the appropriate vaccine. These observations are crucial for developing targeted strategies to address public concerns and enhance vaccination rates. The insights gained from these results will guide policymakers, healthcare practitioners, and public health organisations to implement evidence-based interventions, thereby countering vaccine hesitancy and improving public health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examined the relationship between mistrust and aggression from childhood to adulthood. The participants resided in Portugal and were tested during middle childhood (Mage = 7.5, SD = 0.81 years, n = 445, 240 male), preadolescence (Mage = 11.92, SD = 0.96 years, n = 431, 200 male), mid‐adolescence (Mage = 14.70, SD = 0.91 years, n = 326, 201 male), late adolescence (Mage = 18.14, SD = 1.19 years, n = 410, 216 male), and adulthood (Mage = 26.56, SD = 1.13, years, n = 417, 197 male). Mothers reported the participants' mistrust during childhood and preadolescence on items from the Child Behavior Checklist. Aggression was assessed by standardized self‐report measures at each age period. It was found that mistrust was associated with aggression during preadolescence and predicted changes in aggression to mid‐adolescence and adulthood. The findings supported the conclusion that mistrust during preadolescence predisposes individuals to show aggression later in the life course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, I explore the following relationships: the relationship between Dambudzo Marechera and Rhodesia/whiteness, Dambudzo Marechera and Zimbabwe, Dambudzo Marechera and Flora Veit-Wild, Zimbabwe and Europe/Britain, and the relationship between Zimbabwean critics and Flora Veit-Wild. These relationships are all examples of the complex conditions that shaped Marechera's writings and their reception, and Veit-Wild's writings (about Marechera) and their reception among Zimbabwean and African readers. Using these relationships, I want to propose a reading of Marechera and Veit-Wild's works, together with a reading of their critics' responses, informed by the concept of mistrust. I argue that the mistrust stems from Africa/Zimbabwe's colonial relationship with Europe/Britain, a coloniality that continued even after independence. Thereafter, the good that Europe could bring to Africa, or Britain to Zimbabwe, or Veit-Wild to Marechera began to be regarded with suspicion and mistrust because (post)colonial relations were [still] predominantly meant to benefit the coloniser. Marechera's writings are fraught with that kind of mistrust. However, Marechera takes the mistrust further and is suspicious of the vision of Zimbabwe that he believes is anchored on an elitist foundation, itself a product of a vanguard that had become 'white.' Marechera's readers suspect him of being European because of his 'European' style of writing and perceived lack of commitment to the African/Zimbabwean cause. In the same vein, the readers are suspicious of Marechera's relationship with Veit-Wild and suspect her of gaining, just as a colonialist, from her relationship with Marechera. Utilising Marechera's writings and interviews, Veit-Wild's They Called You Dambudzo and critical works on these writings, I argue that reading Zimbabwe, Marechera and Veit-Wild is like reading three biographies of mistrust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]