Age-related differences in trust beliefs during middle childhood: Downward-extension and validation of the general trust scale

There are conflicting suggestions concerning the developmental trend of trust beliefs during middle childhood. Across three studies, the current research developed a brief measure of child general trust beliefs, as well as child measures of trust in peers and online, and examined age-related differences in these beliefs.

Citation:
Wheeler AR, Bayliss DM, Ohan J. Age-related differences in trust beliefs during middle childhood: Downward-extension and validation of the general trust scale. PLoS ONE. 2025;20(5).

Keywords:
Child; peer group; psychometrics; trust; psychology; surveys and questionnaires

Abstract:
There are conflicting suggestions concerning the developmental trend of trust beliefs during middle childhood. Across three studies, the current research developed a brief measure of child general trust beliefs, as well as child measures of trust in peers and online, and examined age-related differences in these beliefs.