The Role of Digital Skills in the Formation Trust and Efficacy Among Latinos

28 Pages Posted: 22 Feb 2011 Last revised: 17 Aug 2014

Date Written: April 23, 2011

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between digital skills acquisition and the development of efficacy and trust among Latinos in the United States. The findings suggest that information communication technologies (ICT’s) might provide a distinct pathway to efficacy and trust, both preconditions civic engagement, for historically marginalized groups in US society. We use ordinary least squares regression to test the proposition that proficiency in ICT use enhances trust and efficacy among Latinos. We find this to be the case for efficacy, but not trust. In addition, we find that digital skill is the only variable associated with trust for Latinos while multiple variables are related to trust for Anglo-Americans. In addition, we also find that digital skill is related to both trust and efficacy for African-Americans. We discuss the implications of this research for enhancing political trust and efficacy among historically marginalized groups in the United States.

Keywords: internet, trust, efficacy, latinos

Suggested Citation

Marichal, Jose and Lavariega Monforti, Jessica, The Role of Digital Skills in the Formation Trust and Efficacy Among Latinos (April 23, 2011). Western Political Science Association 2011 Annual Meeting Paper , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1767233

Jose Marichal

California Lutheran University ( email )

United States

Jessica Lavariega Monforti (Contact Author)

Pace University ( email )

1 Pace Plaza
Manhattan, NY 10038
United States

HOME PAGE: http://https://sites.google.com/site/drjessicalavariegamonforti/.

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