Investigation on the Relationship between the Perception of Corruption and Social Trust (A Study on Cities Amol, Sari, and Chalus in Mazandaran Province)

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the perception of corruption and social trust among the urban population over 30 years old in the cities Amol, Sari, and Chalus in Mazandaran province. In the perceptions of corruption variable, the Hoetjes, Triesman and Heidenheimer’s theories were used. Also, in the social capital variable from the institutionalized approach and in particular from the Bo Rothstein and Stolle theories have been used. Data were collected using a survey method and a questionnaire tool from a sample of 400 people. The descriptive findings of the research showed that the level of the structure of corruption perception and all its dimensions (i.e. micro corruption, macro corruption, systemic corruption and international corruption) were at a high level and the rate of social trust structure and all its dimensions (i.e. interpersonal, generalized, institutional, and environmental) were at a low level. The explanatory findings of the research showed that the perceptions of corruption and all its dimensions had a strong and significant reverse relationship with social trust. Based on Pearson's correlation coefficient, dimensions of perceptions of systemic corruption, macro corruption, micro corruption, and international corruption had the strongest relationship among all. Based on the results of structural equation modeling, the theoretical model of research based on various indices such as CMIN / DF, RMSEA, NFI, CFI, PCFI and etc. had an acceptable fit. The results of this study confirm the empirical background and the theoretical framework of the research that was based on the institution-based approach of social trust. Findings demonstrated that the increase in the extent of perceptions of corruption in all its dimensions caused the decrease of social trust in its various dimensions.