Scottish COVID-19 Mental Health Tracker Study: Wave 3 Report

Annex 7: Trust in authorities

Police

• The majority of respondents in the 60+ age group (81.0%) trusted the police compared to two thirds (67.1%) of 30-59 year olds and around half of the youngest age group (53.0%).
• Around three quarters of women in the sample reported trusting the police (72.4%) compared to 63.8% of men.
• 70.4% of respondents from the high SEG reported trusting the police compared to 64.2% of those from the lower SEG.
• Around half of respondents with a pre-existing mental health condition felt the police were at least somewhat trustworthy (53.0%) compared to 70.4% of those without a pre-existing mental health condition.

UK government

• The 60+ age group were more likely to report trusting the UK government to some extent (31.9%) than respondents in either of the other age groups (30-59 year olds: 22.5%, 18-29 year olds: 14.6%).
• Men were more likely to report trusting the UK government to some extent (24.6%) compared to women (22.7%).
• Respondents from the higher SEG were more likely to report not trusting the UK government (67.0%) compared to respondents from lower SEG (63.5%).
• Over three quarters of respondents with a pre-existing mental health condition reported not trusting the UK government (77.4%) compared to 64.0% of those without a pre-existing mental health condition.

Scottish government

• The 60+ age group were more likely to report trusting the Scottish government to some extent (61.6%) than respondents in either of the other age groups (30-59 year olds: 60.1%, 18-29 year olds: 54.0%).
• Women were more likely to report trusting the Scottish government to some extent (62.2%) compared to men (56.1%).
• Respondents from the higher SEG were more likely to report not trusting the Scottish government (31.7%) compared to respondents from lower SEG (27.6%).