Abstract
Public Health Nurses (PHNs) have supported community health in regenerating the relationship with residents of the community. But it is not sufficient that we assess the community as the subject of PHNs' activities referring to only health indications as has been done in the past. The purpose of this study is to develop a scale for evaluating the characteristics and degree of personal trust (PT) and theoretical verification. First, in reference to earlier literature on the subject of trust, a questionnaire was made using a hypothetical framework. Construct validity was examined using factor analysis. Next, we investigated the relation between commitment to the community and Sense of Coherence (SOC) with each factors of trust for evaluating the performance of the scale. The study sample consisted of 338 parents of children who have taken the Health Examination for Children 3 years of age in City A of Okinawa, Japan. A factor analysis of personal trust yielded 3 factors in both males and females: (1) Strategic trust for making bonds ; (2) Universal trust for general public ; (3) Trust for specific persons. We investigated commitment to the community and SOC affected by these 3 factors of PT using correlative analysis. Results indicated that there is significant positive correlation between all factors of PT and pride and attachment to the community and SOC. Only between factor 1 and the frequency of participation in community activities, no significant correlation was found. Cronbach's alphas (male 0.737, female 0.774) were adequate. We confirmed the validity and reliability of the scale through these results.
