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Internet use and residents' social class identification: The social trust perspective.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Internet use and residents' social class identification: The social trust perspective.
Authors: Chen F; China Rural Policy and Practice Research Institute, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China. Electronic address: chenfan@nbu.edu.cn., Jiao J; Zhejiang Business Technology Institute, Ningbo, China. Electronic address: jiaojianyi0318@126.com., Wang W; School of Economics and Management, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China. Electronic address: wnawang@126.com., Gao S; China Rural Policy and Practice Research Institute, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China. Electronic address: gaosuwei@nbu.edu.cn.
Source: Acta psychologica [Acta Psychol (Amst)] 2025 Oct; Vol. 260, pp. 105480. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Aug 30.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Language: English
Journal Info: Publisher: North Holland Publishing Country of Publication: Netherlands NLM ID: 0370366 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1873-6297 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00016918 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Acta Psychol (Amst) Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s): Publication: Amsterdam : North Holland Publishing
Original Publication: The Hague.
MeSH Terms: Trust*/psychology , Social Identification* , Social Class* , Internet Use*, Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; China ; Aged ; Adolescent
Abstract: Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work. No authors have potential conflicts of interest with reference to this article.
The rapid expansion of the digital economy significantly influences social dynamics, prompting an increased interest in residents' social class identification, which is a crucial factor in promoting societal well-being. How to enhance residents' social class identity in the rapidly changing internet environment is a key concern and focus of current psychological research. This study aims to investigate the impact of internet use on residents' social class identification and explores the mediating role of social trust. Using data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS2021), the study employs ordered probit regression models and instrumental variable techniques to address potential endogeneity and ensure robustness. The findings reveal that internet use positively affects residents' class identification, partly through enhancing social trust. Moreover, this effect varies across demographic groups, with stronger influences observed among males, older adults, married individuals, and those with higher education levels. These results underscore the importance of integrating digital technologies and social trust-building strategies to foster residents' social identity in the digital age.
(Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Contributed Indexing: Keywords: Chinese general social survey; Internet use; Social class identification; Social trust
Entry Date(s): Date Created: 20250831 Date Completed: 20251107 Latest Revision: 20251107
Update Code: 20251107
DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105480
PMID: 40886514
Database: MEDLINE
Description
Abstract:Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that we have no financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that can inappropriately influence our work. No authors have potential conflicts of interest with reference to this article.<br />The rapid expansion of the digital economy significantly influences social dynamics, prompting an increased interest in residents' social class identification, which is a crucial factor in promoting societal well-being. How to enhance residents' social class identity in the rapidly changing internet environment is a key concern and focus of current psychological research. This study aims to investigate the impact of internet use on residents' social class identification and explores the mediating role of social trust. Using data from the 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS2021), the study employs ordered probit regression models and instrumental variable techniques to address potential endogeneity and ensure robustness. The findings reveal that internet use positively affects residents' class identification, partly through enhancing social trust. Moreover, this effect varies across demographic groups, with stronger influences observed among males, older adults, married individuals, and those with higher education levels. These results underscore the importance of integrating digital technologies and social trust-building strategies to foster residents' social identity in the digital age.<br /> (Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
ISSN:1873-6297
DOI:10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105480