Having high levels of trust can be a pathway to greater happiness, according to research from Utrecht University. The study Trust and Subjective Well-Being Across the Lifespan, published by the American Psychological Association, suggests people who trust those around them may be boosting their happiness, and it really doesn’t matter at what age.
Having trust in people, institutions, or in society in general tends to lead to higher life satisfaction. What’s more, happy people tend to trust more, which creates a reinforcing happiness loop: “Trust is both a cause and a consequence of well-being — the more we trust, the happier we feel; the happier we feel, the easier it becomes to trust again,” the study says.
Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of nearly 1,000 findings from different studies involving more than 2.5 million people. Participants ranged in age from 6 to 64 from countries all over the world, with the most common being the United States, China, and the United Kingdom.
Catrin Finkenauer, Ph.D., a professor at Utrecht University and a co-author of the study, says the findings show that trust plays a key role in how happy and satisfied people feel, across all ages, especially for children, adolescents, and older adults. The research also suggests that societies with high levels of trust — where fairness, honesty, and cooperation are prevalent — have happier people.
“Families, schools, and governments all share the responsibility of creating environments where people can rely on each other, she says. “When we build trust, we also support mental health and stronger communities.”
While trust is something that has to be authentic and earned, according to Catrin, it can also be broken, making it harder to trust again. This can have the opposite of effect and create a negative feedback loop that leaves people feeling lonely, insecure, and with less hope. The good news is trust can be restored.
Building a Life of Trust
In the book The Speed of Trust, author Steven Covey argues that trust is key to our well-being and when we have high trust in ourselves, others, and our environment, we can experience safety, confidence, and peace of mind. “When trust is high, communication is easy, effortless, instant, and joyful,” he writes.
Having trust provides a safety net that buffers anxiety, suspicion, and fear — emotions that rob us of our happiness.
Performing small, consistent acts of trust every day can lead to lasting emotional benefits. Over time, these small acts of trust build and boost our well-being.
A few things we can do to build more trust in our lives:
Give others the benefit of the doubt. Instead of always viewing others with suspicion and skepticism, try assuming their intent is positive.
Keep your word. When we follow through on the promises we make, we build both self and mutual trust.
Relinquish control. The ability to admit when we need help can deepen our connections and boost our happiness.
Practice gratitude. Grateful people trust more. Recognizing and appreciating the good in life rewires your brain to find more optimism.
Forgive the small things. Holding on to unnecessary anger and resentment just adds to your stress and takes up emotional space that could be used for more empathy and compassion.
When we choose to trust more — in others, ourselves, and even our institutions — we set the stage for a thriving in life. We can start with small acts of trust that will compound and eventually lead to stronger relationships, more compassion, and a sunnier look on life.
