This study investigates trust conceptualization among Spanish school leaders and teachers, comparing findings with U.S. research. Interviews with 19 participants from four diverse K-12 institutions revealed four themes: trust demonstration, enactment of five trust facets, emphasis on benevolence, and adherence to workplace expectations. Results show similarities with U.S. findings, but with notable variations. Spanish educators emphasized benevolence over honesty, and confidence in trust emerged as a significant topic. Participants consistently reported trust as essential for school stability, requiring substantial time to develop. The study suggests that school leaders and researchers in global contexts should be attentive to nuances in trust conceptualization to foster stronger relationships and promote educational success.
Brown et al. (Sun,) studied this question.