Testing the Association Between Adolescents´ Trust and Future Orientations, and the Moderating Role of Socioeconomic status

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescent’s future orientations are based on their experiences within their social environment and can positively influence their development to adulthood. However, little is known about the role an experience like trusting others can play in the development of future orientations. Therefore, this study examined the association between both interpersonal and institutional trust with three future orientations outcomes and investigate how this association might change across different socioeconomic groups. Method: Cross-sectional data from 1.128 Dutch students (Mage = 17,3, SD = 1,729) who self-reported their future expectations, positive and negative future emotions, interpersonal trust, institutions trust, and their family affluence, was used to answer the research questions. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated that, both institutional and interpersonal trust are significantly associated with better future orientations, although these associations were strongest for interpersonal trust. Against expectations, results showed that the relationship between trust and future orientations was not different across socioeconomic groups, as only three out of twelve possible interactions were significant. Conclusions: The findings suggest that trusting your close environment may be particularly important for more positive future orientations. As such the results indicate the importance of developing interventions that can enhance the engagement of adolescents with their communities.