IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/elcore/v25y2025i2d10.1007_s10660-023-09679-4.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

To trust or not to trust: a qualitative study of older adults’ online communication during the COVID-19 pandemic

Author

Listed:
  • Xusen Cheng

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Liyang Qiao

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Bo Yang

    (Renmin University of China)

  • Ruixue Han

    (Zhengzhou University)

Abstract

Online communication is an effective solution to the social isolation of older adults that can result from attempts to avoid COVID-19 transmission, but they may not be familiar with virtual identities in online communication and struggle to develop trusting relationships. We address this dilemma in this study by using qualitative methods including semi-structured interviews. We employ the social exchange theory and trust transfer theory to develop a conceptual model from three perspectives: the characteristics of the trustor, those of the trustee, and their shared factors. We find that trust is moderated by social isolation and health concerns experienced by older adults during the pandemic and that outcomes associated with trust building include satisfaction, reliance, and loyalty. The findings enrich our understanding of the mental health of older adults and online interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and can be extended to similar contexts in which long-term isolation is necessary.

Suggested Citation

  • Xusen Cheng & Liyang Qiao & Bo Yang & Ruixue Han, 2025. "To trust or not to trust: a qualitative study of older adults’ online communication during the COVID-19 pandemic," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 849-878, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:elcore:v:25:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10660-023-09679-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s10660-023-09679-4
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10660-023-09679-4
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10660-023-09679-4?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Viswanath Venkatesh, 2000. "Determinants of Perceived Ease of Use: Integrating Control, Intrinsic Motivation, and Emotion into the Technology Acceptance Model," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 11(4), pages 342-365, December.
    2. Liu, Linlin & Lee, Matthew K.O. & Liu, Renjing & Chen, Jiawen, 2018. "Trust transfer in social media brand communities: The role of consumer engagement," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1-13.
    3. Kim, Do Yuon & Kim, Hye-Young, 2021. "Trust me, trust me not: A nuanced view of influencer marketing on social media," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 223-232.
    4. Cheng, Xusen & Fu, Shixuan & de Vreede, Gert-Jan, 2017. "Understanding trust influencing factors in social media communication: A qualitative study," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 37(2), pages 25-35.
    5. Cheng, Xusen & Gu, Yu & Shen, Jia, 2019. "An integrated view of particularized trust in social commerce: An empirical investigation," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 45(C), pages 1-12.
    6. Yoon, Hyun Shik & Occeña, Luis G., 2015. "Influencing factors of trust in consumer-to-consumer electronic commerce with gender and age," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 352-363.
    7. D. Harrison McKnight & Vivek Choudhury & Charles Kacmar, 2002. "Developing and Validating Trust Measures for e-Commerce: An Integrative Typology," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 13(3), pages 334-359, September.
    8. Bonsón Ponte, Enrique & Carvajal-Trujillo, Elena & Escobar-Rodríguez, Tomás, 2015. "Influence of trust and perceived value on the intention to purchase travel online: Integrating the effects of assurance on trust antecedents," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 286-302.
    9. Xusen Cheng & Linda Macaulay, 2014. "Exploring Individual Trust Factors in Computer Mediated Group Collaboration: A Case Study Approach," Group Decision and Negotiation, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 533-560, May.
    10. Jeff Dyer & Wujin Chu, 2011. "The determinants of trust in supplier–automaker relations in the US, Japan, and Korea: A retrospective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 42(1), pages 28-34, January.
    11. Uzir, Md. Uzir Hossain & Al Halbusi, Hussam & Thurasamy, Ramayah & Thiam Hock, Rodney Lim & Aljaberi, Musheer A. & Hasan, Najmul & Hamid, Mahmud, 2021. "The effects of service quality, perceived value and trust in home delivery service personnel on customer satisfaction: Evidence from a developing country," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    12. Jeffrey H Dyer & Wujin Chu, 2011. "The determinants of trust in supplier–automaker relationships in the US, Japan, and Korea," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 42(1), pages 10-27, January.
    13. Cheng, Xusen & Fu, Shixuan & de Vreede, Gert-Jan, 2018. "A mixed method investigation of sharing economy driven car-hailing services: Online and offline perspectives," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 57-64.
    14. Paul A. Pavlou & David Gefen, 2004. "Building Effective Online Marketplaces with Institution-Based Trust," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 15(1), pages 37-59, March.
    15. Sakib, Md Nazmus & Hasan, Fuad & Al-Emran, Md & Felix, Reto, 2023. "A cross-cultural analysis of ridesharing intentions and compliance with COVID-19 health guidelines: The roles of social trust, fear of COVID-19, and trust-in-God," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    16. Katherine J. Stewart, 2003. "Trust Transfer on the World Wide Web," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 14(1), pages 5-17, February.
    17. Elke U. Weber & Christopher Hsee, 1998. "Cross-Cultural Differences in Risk Perception, but Cross-Cultural Similarities in Attitudes Towards Perceived Risk," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 44(9), pages 1205-1217, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Leonie Kuen & Daniel Westmattelmann & Maike Bruckes & Gerhard Schewe, 2023. "Who earns trust in online environments? A meta-analysis of trust in technology and trust in provider for technology acceptance," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 33(1), pages 1-24, December.
    2. Wu, Wei & Wang, Sihang & Ding, Guanqi & Mo, Jinfei, 2023. "Elucidating trust-building sources in social shopping: A consumer cognitive and emotional trust perspective," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    3. Suk-Joo Lee & Cheolhwi Ahn & Kelly Minjung Song & Hyunchul Ahn, 2018. "Trust and Distrust in E-Commerce," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-19, March.
    4. Ben Q. Liu & Dale L. Goodhue, 2012. "Two Worlds of Trust for Potential E-Commerce Users: Humans as Cognitive Misers," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 23(4), pages 1246-1262, December.
    5. Stephen C. Wingreen & Natasha C. H. L. Mazey & Stephen L. Baglione & Gordon R. Storholm, 2019. "Transfer of electronic commerce trust between physical and virtual environments: experimental effects of structural assurance and situational normality," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 339-371, June.
    6. Grüner, Alina & Postel, Lea & Schumann, Jan H., 2024. "Sharing is caring? The effect of negative peer-to-peer experiences on loyalty intentions in the sharing economy," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    7. Rajković, Borislav & Đurić, Ivan & Zarić, Vlade & Glauben, Thomas, 2021. "Gaining trust in the digital age: The potential of social media for increasing the competitiveness of small and medium enterprises," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 13(4).
    8. Dongmin Kim & Izak Benbasat, 2006. "The Effects of Trust-Assuring Arguments on Consumer Trust in Internet Stores: Application of Toulmin's Model of Argumentation," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 17(3), pages 286-300, September.
    9. Mohammed Alharbey & Stefan Van Hemmen, 2021. "Investor Intention in Equity Crowdfunding. Does Trust Matter?," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-20, January.
    10. Paul A. Pavlou & Angelika Dimoka, 2006. "The Nature and Role of Feedback Text Comments in Online Marketplaces: Implications for Trust Building, Price Premiums, and Seller Differentiation," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 17(4), pages 392-414, December.
    11. Alisa Frik & Luigi Mittone, 2016. "Factors Influencing the Perceived Websites' Privacy Trustworthiness and Users' Purchase Intentions," CEEL Working Papers 1609, Cognitive and Experimental Economics Laboratory, Department of Economics, University of Trento, Italia.
    12. Xusen Cheng & Fei Guo & Jin Chen & Kejiang Li & Yihui Zhang & Peng Gao, 2019. "Exploring the Trust Influencing Mechanism of Robo-Advisor Service: A Mixed Method Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(18), pages 1-20, September.
    13. Onofrei, George & Filieri, Raffaele & Kennedy, Lorraine, 2022. "Social media interactions, purchase intention, and behavioural engagement: The mediating role of source and content factors," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 142(C), pages 100-112.
    14. Hong, Ilyoo B. & Cho, Hwihyung, 2011. "The impact of consumer trust on attitudinal loyalty and purchase intentions in B2C e-marketplaces: Intermediary trust vs. seller trust," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 469-479.
    15. Park, Sangwon, 2020. "Multifaceted trust in tourism service robots," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    16. Lin Xiao & Chuanmin Mi & Yucheng Zhang & Jing Ma, 2019. "Examining Consumers’ Behavioral Intention in O2O Commerce from a Relational Perspective: an Exploratory Study," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 21(5), pages 1045-1068, October.
    17. Lin Xiao & Bin Fu & Wenlong Liu, 2018. "Understanding consumer repurchase intention on O2O platforms: an integrated model of network externalities and trust transfer theory," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 12(4), pages 731-756, December.
    18. Baozhou Lu & Zhenhua Wang, 2022. "Trust Transfer in Sharing Accommodation: The Moderating Role of Privacy Concerns," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-18, June.
    19. Kayode Odusanya & Olu Aluko & Banita Lal, 2022. "Building Consumers’ Trust in Electronic Retail Platforms in the Sub-Saharan Context: an exploratory study on Drivers and Impact on Continuance Intention," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 377-391, April.
    20. Ben Krishna & Satish Krishnan & M. P. Sebastian, 2023. "Examining the Relationship between National Cybersecurity Commitment, Culture, and Digital Payment Usage: An Institutional Trust Theory Perspective," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 25(5), pages 1713-1741, October.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:spr:elcore:v:25:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s10660-023-09679-4. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.