Table 1.
A summary of dependent, independent, and control variables.
| Variables and wording | Mean (SD) | Cronbach α | ||||
| Dependent variable 1: trust in the governmenta | .85 | |||||
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How do you rate the performance of the local government of where you live? (average scale) | 3.90 (0.70) |
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1. I have confidence in the ability of local government departments in terms of controlling the pandemic. | 4.02 (0.79) |
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2. Relevant local government departments will fully consider the benefits of the people in the context of the pandemic. | 3.85 (0.89) |
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3. Relevant local government departments show fairness when dealing with the pandemic. | 3.80 (0.91) |
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4. Relevant local government departments are transparent when conveying information about the pandemic. | 3.80 (1.0) |
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5. Overall, relevant local government departments are trustworthy in their handling of the pandemic. | 4.03 (0.84) |
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| Dependent variable 2: trust in scientistsa | .79 | |||||
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How do you rate the scientists who are on the front line fighting COVID-19? (average scale) | 4.35 (0.56) |
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1. They deserve my trust. | 4.36 (0.64) |
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2. Their professional qualifications are trustworthy. | 4.38 (0.70) |
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3. They put people’s health as a topic priority. | 4.30 (0.80) |
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4. I trust them. | 4.37 (0.71) |
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| Dependent variable 3: trust–interpersonalb | .66 | |||||
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When you ask the following people about their recent travel histories and health conditions, how much do you trust their answers? (average scale) | 3.63 (0.55) |
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1. Family | 4.53 (0.71) |
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2. Relatives | 3.80 (0.84) |
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3. Friends | 3.85 (0.75) |
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4. Strangers | 2.35 (0.81) |
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| Dependent variable 4: trust in health care providersa | .75 | |||||
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How much do you agree with the following statements? (average scale) | 3.51 (0.75) |
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1. The confirmation rates of COVID-19 in hospitals are low (reverse-coded). | 3.91 (0.76) |
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2. Hospitals can treat patients effectively because they are overcrowded and have a shortage of supplies (reverse-coded). | 2.94 (1.11) |
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3. Physicians do not have enough knowledge about COVID-19 and are prone to misdiagnosis (reverse-coded). | 3.93 (0.95) |
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4. Hospitals are prone to misdiagnosis because they do not have enough COVID-19 test kits (reverse-coded). | 3.32 (1.19) |
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5. Hospitals cannot effectively isolate COVID-19 patients, which will likely cause cross-contamination (reverse-coded). | 3.45 (1.22) |
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| X: negative emotionsa | .79 | |||||
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The country is extremely concerned about the current COVID-19 pandemic. How much do you exhibit or feel each of the following emotions during this outbreak? (average scale) | 3.73 (0.82) |
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1. Fear | 2.91 (1.03) |
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2. Anxiety | 2.97 (1.16) |
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3. Anger | 2.43 (1.27) |
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4. Frustration | 2.16 (1.03) |
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5. Hostility | 1.69 (0.96) |
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| M: engagement with informationc | .72 | |||||
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When you are exposed to online information related to the COVID-19 pandemic, how do you respond to the information? (average scale) | 2.85 (0.77) |
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1. Give a like | 2.83 (2.20) |
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2. Post original message | 1.91 (1.07) |
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3. Comment | 2.68 (1.14) |
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4. Forward or reshare | 3.11 (1.18) |
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5. Search further for related information | 3.75 (1.03) |
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| Control 1 | ||||||
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Age (range 16 to 67 years) | 31.02 (9.0) | —d | |||
| Control 2 | ||||||
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Sex (male: 50.3%; female: 49.7%); dummy-coded male | — | — | |||
| Control 3 | ||||||
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Education (1-9 scale; 1=no schooling; 9=doctorate) | 6.76 (0.92) | — | |||
| Control 4 | ||||||
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Monthly income (1-10 scale; 1=no income; 10= ≥CN ¥50,001 e) | 6.29 (1.96) | — | |||
a1=totally disagree, 2=disagree, 3=neither disagree nor agree, 4=agree, and 5=totally agree.
b1=totally trust, 7=totally distrust.
c1=none, 2=selfdom, 3=several times, 4=often, and 5=very frequently.
dNot available.
eCN ¥1=US $0.14.