The Relationship Between Social Capital, Public Security Perception and Trust in the Police: A Multiple Mediating Analysis

This study analyzes 2021 Chinese Social Survey data to examine how social capital relates to trust in police. Multiple mediation analysis shows social capital directly enhances police trust. Public security perception is a significant mediator, whereas political participation alone is not. However, a sequential pathway exists: social capital → public security perception → political participation → police trust. The most influential indirect mechanism is “social capital → public security perception → police trust.” These findings clarify the interplay between social capital, institutional perceptions, and civic engagement in building public trust, offering insights for improving police-community relations.