Trust in Institutions and Civic Engagement among Young Adults in Contemporary Indonesia
Abstract
Trust in institutions has become an important factor in understanding the relationship between citizens and democratic governance, particularly among young people who represent the future of civic development. This study aims to examine the influence of institutional trust and public trust on civic participation among young people in contemporary Indonesia. This research applies a quantitative approach using a survey method involving 135 respondents. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire measured using a five-point Likert scale. The collected data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25, including validity testing, reliability testing, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. The results indicate that institutional trust has a positive and significant influence on public trust and explains 38.8% of the variation in public trust. Furthermore, institutional trust and public trust significantly influence civic participation, with public trust demonstrating a stronger effect compared with institutional trust. The regression model explains 42.1% of the variation in civic participation. These findings indicate that stronger confidence in institutions contributes to higher levels of public trust and encourages greater involvement of young people in civic activities. This study highlights the importance of institutional credibility, accountability, and responsiveness in strengthening youth participation within Indonesia’s democratic environment.