Understanding Generalized Trust in News Media in China

Psychometric Validation and Association With News Avoidance

Bibliographic Data

ID17811440
AuthorsWenlong Mu (0000-0003-4027-6557, Wuhan University, corresponding author), Jingtong Wang (Wuhan University), Wenlan Zhu (0009-0007-1573-0945, Wuhan University), Rongyong Li (China Resources (China))
Year2025
Volume38
Issue3
Pages163-175
Publication date2025-02-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Media Psychology Theories Methods and Applications (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1864-1105 • E-ISSN: 2151-2388
PublisherHogrefe Verlag (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1027/1864-1105/a000459
OpenAlexW4407135859
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited22

Trust in news media (TNM) has continued declining in some countries (e.g., US) while remaining stable or even increasing in others (e.g., China). Scholars are interested in understanding what factors contribute to these differences. A reliable and equivalent measurement is essential for cross-national comparisons of TNM. However, there is currently no instrument available to measure generalized TNM in China. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Generalized Trust in News Media Scale (GTNMS) in China. The study sample comprised 578 participants, including 347 females (60.0%) and 231 males (40.0%). Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), bifactor-CFA, and bifactor Exploratory Structural Equation Modelling (bifactor-ESEM) were adopted to examine the construct validity of the Chinese version of GTNMS. Measurement invariance (MI) and predictive validity of the Chinese version of GTNMS were also examined. The results revealed that the Chinese adaptation of GTNMS demonstrated optimal representation through a bifactor-ESEM, comprising a global factor (G-factor) and four specific factors (S-factors). Both the G-factor and S-factors showed acceptable internal consistency reliability. However, the S-factors retained a lower level of specificity after controlling for the G-factor, which indicated that the GTNMS was essentially unidimensional. The results from the Structural Equation Modelling analysis also revealed that only the G-factor could predict individuals’ news avoidance. In addition, MI of the GTNMS was established across participants using official and commercial media. Overall, the GTNMS is a reliable tool for measuring generalized TNM in China

China · Media studies · News media · Political science · Sociology · Computer Science · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Social Media and Politics

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