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The Association Between Generalized Trust and Physical and Psychological Health Across Societies

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Abstract

Prior research found that physical and psychological health are positively associated with generalized trust of others. This association is known to vary across societies, though the extent of this variation and its source remains poorly understood. The current research examined whether differences in development across societies describe why the effects of trust on health differ across societies. Drawing on the dataset from the World Values Survey, we found that the participants’ generalized trust was associated with their physical health, happiness, and life satisfaction. Multi-level analysis showed that these associations varied substantially across societies. For physical health and happiness, the variation was related to differences in societal development. Generalized trust was more strongly associated with physical health and happiness in developed societies than in developing societies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia

    Takeshi Hamamura

  2. Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China

    Liman Man Wai Li

  3. University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

    Derwin Chan

Authors
  1. Takeshi Hamamura
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  2. Liman Man Wai Li
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  3. Derwin Chan
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Correspondence to Takeshi Hamamura.

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Hamamura, T., Li, L.M.W. & Chan, D. The Association Between Generalized Trust and Physical and Psychological Health Across Societies. Soc Indic Res 134, 277–286 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-016-1428-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-016-1428-9

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