LAUSR

Based on an integrated model of doctor–patient psychological mechanisms, the formation mechanism of doctor-–patient trust was systematically demonstrated from the healthcare professional (HCP)’s perspective integrating intergroup relations (expectations), interpersonal relations (communication), and psychosocial (stereotypes). The results of a survey of 3000 doctors and nurses from 14 provinces in eastern, central, and western China support the rationality of an integrated model of doctor–patient psychological mechanisms. The establishment of doctor–patient trust is influenced by the direct role of primary intergroup factors, the indirect role of immediate interpersonal interactions, and the moderating role of social psychology. Specifically, (1) doctor–patient trust is directly predicted by HCP’s expectation and indirectly influenced by communication; (2) stereotypes regulate the relationship between HCP’s expectation, communication, and doctor–patient trust: the activation of positive stereotypes enhances the positive relationship among the three; Negative stereotypes only positively contribute to mediated pathway-communication behaviors and have a weaker facilitation effect compared to positive stereotypes.