Effect of the Korean Adolescents??Personal Trust on Social Trust and Public Trust

Purpose: This study aims to identify the effect of Korean adolescents’ personal trust on social trust and public trust. Method: To accomplish the research purpose, the researchers analyzed panel data collected from 5,740 participants, encompassing Korean elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide. This data was collected through stratified cluster sampling by the Korea Youth Policy Institute. To test three research hypotheses, structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis was applied, and the results are as follows: Results: First, Korean adolescents' perceived personal trust had a statistically significant positive effect on social trust. Second, Korean adolescents' perceived personal trust had statistically significant positive effect on public trust. Third, Korean adolescents' perceived social trust had statistically significant positive impact on public trust. Conclusion: The personal trust that adolescents have serves as the foundation for their social and public trust and it will promote the democratic attitude and behavior in future society. Therefore, it is important to recognize the significance of trust formed during adolescence in family, friendships, and with teachers. This recognition can help adolescents develop social and public trust based on their personal sense of trust.