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Trust during troubled times: Evidence from Sierra Leone's Ebola epidemic

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  • Cannonier, Colin
  • Burke, Monica Galloway

Abstract

Existing literature provides evidence that crises can considerably impact public trust. However, research on these dynamics in lower-income and postconflict countries like Sierra Leone is limited. Using nationally representative survey data and district-level Ebola infection data, herein, we examine the relationship between the Ebola epidemic and various measures of government trust. Our analysis, which employs propensity score matching and other techniques, reveals a notable decline in trust among individuals exposed to the outbreak. Our estimates indicate that individual perceptions of trust in government and other government entities decreased by 11.6%–33.6% following the Ebola epidemic. This relationship is driven by factors such as perceived poor performance in epidemic response management and healthcare service provision. These findings contribute to our understanding of the intricate correlation between these variables and the importance of taking proactive measures to mitigate the detrimental effects of epidemics on government–citizen relations.

Suggested Citation

  • Cannonier, Colin & Burke, Monica Galloway, 2025. "Trust during troubled times: Evidence from Sierra Leone's Ebola epidemic," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:144:y:2025:i:c:s0264999324003614
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2024.107004
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ebola epidemic; Government trust; Crisis; Propensity score matching; Sierra Leone;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C21 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Cross-Sectional Models; Spatial Models; Treatment Effect Models
    • H12 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Crisis Management
    • I10 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - General
    • I18 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Government Policy; Regulation; Public Health
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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