How Your Childhood Shapes Your Trust in the World

Do you generally believe that most people can be trusted, even strangers? That feeling is called “social trust,” and it’s like the glue that holds society together. Researchers wanted to know where this fundamental belief comes from, so they looked back at our earliest years: childhood.

“A safe and supportive childhood doesn't just build a happy kid; it helps build an adult who can believe in the good of others.”

In a massive study involving over 200,000 people across 22 different countries, scientists asked adults to reflect on their childhood experiences. They looked at things like the quality of their relationships with their mother and father, their family’s financial situation, their health, and whether they attended religious services. They also asked about negative experiences, like abuse. Then, they compared these memories to how much people felt they could trust others in their country today.

The findings were clear: a positive childhood helps build a more trusting worldview. People who reported having good relationships with their parents, a financially stable upbringing, and good health as kids were more likely to perceive their society as trustworthy. Attending religious services as a child was also linked to higher social trust in adulthood. On the other hand, experiencing physical or sexual abuse during childhood was associated with lower levels of social trust later in life. Interestingly, the strength of these connections varied by culture.

For example, a good relationship with one’s father had a particularly strong link to trust in countries like Japan and South Africa, but the effect was different elsewhere. This shows that while our early family life is a powerful foundation, our cultural context also shapes how these experiences influence us. The core message is that a safe, supportive, and loving childhood doesn't just build a happy kid; it helps build an adult who can believe in the good of others.