Beyond Low Trust: Synthesizing a Systemic Model for the Distrust Trap in Public Administration

The distrust trap is a critical and self-reinforcing dysfunction that undermines the effectiveness of public administration. Despite growing academic interest, scholarly knowledge remains fragmented, with studies focusing partially on the causes, mechanisms, or consequences of the phenomenon. This study addresses this gap by synthesizing international literature to develop a unified, multi-level conceptual framework. Leveraging a narrative literature review methodology and organizing findings through the thematic analysis of 91 academic articles, the research identifies the central patterns and causal relationships that govern the distrust trap. The findings lead to the development of the “Systemic Entrapment Model,” which is structured across three interconnected levels: Foundational Drivers, Reinforcing Dynamics, and Behavioral Manifestations. The proposed model makes a theoretical contribution by integrating psychological and structural explanations into a cohesive system. Practically, it offers a conceptual diagnostic framework for policymakers, capable of supporting the distinction between symptoms and the deeper causes of the dysfunction.