An international team of psychologists has released results from the largest meta-analysis to date on the relationship between trust and perceived happiness. The study used data from more than 2.5 million people in 97 countries and concluded that trust is directly associated with psychological well-being.
Among three types of trust — toward close people, toward society, and toward social institutions — the greatest influence comes from interpersonal trust: trust in friends, relatives, and colleagues. Believing that others are kind also has a positive effect on happiness, while trust in government institutions shows only a weak effect.
The relationship is especially strong for adolescents and older adults. For the former, it helps build social connections and shapes a sense of self-worth, while for the latter it serves as an indicator of stability and care. The effect is stronger in societies with traditionally high levels of public trust. In addition, trust and happiness reinforce each other over the years.
For a modern world in which trust levels are falling, these findings are particularly timely. They suggest that in any era, the foundation of psychological stability lies in warm, reliable relationships.
Source: Study Finds
URL: https://studyfinds.org/trust-happiness-wellbeing/
