Childhood Predictors of Perceptions of Social Trust: A Cross-National Analysis in the Global Flourishing Study

Despite several decades of research on social trust, empirical evidence on the impact of childhood experiences on generalized trust in later life has long been lacking. This is surprising because mounting evidence suggests that trusting disposition is largely determined during the formative periods of childhood. Using nationally representative samples from 22 countries of six continents (N = 202,898), we identified several childhood predictors associated with perceptions of generalized trust in adulthood. The quality of the relationship with one’s mother and father, childhood socioeconomic status, childhood health, and childhood religious service attendance are significantly associated with greater levels of social trust perceptions later in life. Conversely, experiences of abuse during childhood are significantly associated with lower levels of social trust perceptions. We also find that the strength of these associations markedly vary across countries, highlighting diverse societal influences and cultural contexts that characterize each country. The results of the current study suggest that family environment plays a significant role in the formation of perceptions of generalized trust.