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By Stephen Beech
Trust in others helps people live longer, according to new research.
People with a trusting nature report higher levels of "subjective well-being" - an indicator of quality of life and predictor of both health and longevity, say scientists.
The study, published in the journal Psychological Bulletin, also found that well-being and trust reinforce each other over time.
Co-author Professor Catrin Finkenauer, of Utrecht University in the Netherlands, said: “Our findings show that trust plays a key role in how happy and satisfied people feel, across all ages, especially so for children, adolescents and older adults.
"Whether it’s trust in others, in society or in institutions, all types matter for well-being.”
She explained that subjective well-being is different from other types of well-being in that it focuses on how people feel about their own lives rather than on external factors such as physical health, wealth or education.
Brett Jordan
To better understand the relationship between trust and well-being, the research team conducted an analysis of previous studies involving more than 2.5 million participants, aged six-years-old to 84, from all over the world.
The most commonly studied countries were the United States (43), China (37) and the UK (19).
The research looked at three types of individual-level trust - interpersonal, institutional and generalised - as well as a range of well-being indicators.
Co-author Dr. Marlies Maes, also of Utrecht University, said: “Well-being in our study includes both emotional experiences, like how often someone feels happy or sad, or whether they report anxiety or depressive symptoms, and more reflective judgments, like whether they feel satisfied with their life overall.”
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The research team found that people who trust more, whether it’s trust in others, in institutions or in society in general, tended to feel happier and more satisfied with life than people who trust less.
Finkenauer says trust is the "glue" that holds relationships, communities and societies together.
Previous studies have shown that supportive, healthy relationships are key to well-being, and trust plays a central role in building and maintaining those connections.
Finkenauer says that may help explain why people who trust others and institutions tend to report higher levels of well-being.
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She said several of the studies revealed a "clear pattern" of trust boosting well-being, and people who felt better about their lives also tended to become more trusting over time.
Finkenauer said: “In today’s world, where media can both connect and mislead, safeguarding public trust is more important than ever.
“By promoting media literacy and enacting fair regulations, we take essential steps to protect that trust.
“But trust can’t be forced - it has to be earned."
She added: “Families, schools and governments all share the responsibility of creating environments where people can rely on each other.
"When we build trust, we also support mental health and stronger communities.”
