Influence of Trust in Information Sources on Self-Rated Health Among Latino Day Laborers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study examined the relationship between trust in COVID-19 information sources and self-rated health (SRH) among Latino Day Laborers (LDLs) and whether mental health mediated this association. Participants (N = 300) recruited at 18 job-seeking locations were interviewed in Spanish during November and December 2021. Validated scales were used to measure trust in formal (e.g., broadcast news, newspapers, and radio) and informal sources (e.g., friends, family, and social media) and mental health (depression, anxiety, and stress), with SRH measured with a single item. Mediation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ SPSS PROCESS macro. Higher trust in formal sources of information was related to lower SRH, but this relationship was not mediated by mental health. However, depression and anxiety were associated with a decrease in SRH. There were no significant direct or indirect effects between trust in informal sources and SRH. Depression and anxiety remained significant predictors of lower SRH. Further research is warranted on the mechanisms underlying these associations and the differential impact of information sources on vulnerable populations, such as LDLs, during health crises.