Generalized and Contingent Trust of Others Among Sexual Minority Individuals

Lisa F. Platt and Christopher P. Scheitle

Social Science Quarterly, 2019, vol. 100, issue 1, 5-18

Abstract: Objective This study examines how perceptions of the trustworthiness of others are influenced by an individual's sexual orientation. We hypothesize that gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals will be more likely than heterosexual individuals to express generalized distrust and what we conceptualize as contingent trust. The latter is represented by responses of “it depends.” Methods Using data from the 2008–2016 General Social Surveys, we conduct multinomial logistic regression analyses to examine patterns of trust in others, with a particular focus on differences across sexual orientation groups. Results We find that gay or lesbian individuals are significantly more likely than heterosexual individuals to say that their trust of others “depends.” Bisexual individuals, however, do not significantly differ from heterosexual individuals. Conclusion This study contributes to the trust literature by considering the influence of sexual orientation as well as expanding upon the idea of contingent trust. Future research could build upon this by also considering the “depends” response as a conceptually unique attitude toward trust of others.

Date: 2019
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