Scale Overview & Construct
7-item measure of trust in political and civic institutions, from the European Social Survey. Three subscales: Domestic Political, Order, and Supranational trust.
Purpose & Measurement Objectives
Instrument Specifications
Academic Citation & Instrument Provenance
When referencing this instrument in research, academic theses, or clinical institutional audits, please cite the original author publication:
Governance, Boundaries & Ethical Use
Imported from the OpenScales open item-bank project. This specific digital implementation has not been independently clinically validated by PsiQ — scores are for self-reflection, research, and educational purposes only.
License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Citation: Torcal, M. (2014). The decline of political trust in Spain and Portugal. American Behavioral Scientist, 58(12), 1542–1567; European Social Survey European Research Infrastructure (ESS ERIC), ESS Round 10/11 Source Questionnaire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Institutional Trust Scale (ESS)?
7-item measure of trust in political and civic institutions, from the European Social Survey. Three subscales: Domestic Political, Order, and Supranational trust.
How long does the Institutional Trust Scale (ESS) take?
It takes about 3 minutes to answer all 7 questions. You can go at your own pace.
Is this test free, and is it available in Hindi?
Yes, it is free with a PsiQ account. The questions and answer options are available in English, Hindi and Hinglish.
Can this test diagnose a condition?
No. Online self-report scales are for self-reflection, education and research, not diagnosis. If you are worried about your mental health, please speak to a qualified mental-health professional.