| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: The period of adolescence is crucial for identity development, including the
formation of trust towards individuals and institutions. Given contemporary concerns such as
climate change, promoting positive future orientations among adolescents is challenging, yet
essential for understanding their overall well-being. This study investigates relationships
between two types of trust (interpersonal and institutional) and future orientations among
vocational education students in The Netherlands. Moreover, this study also investigates
whether just world beliefs (JWB) mediate these relationships.
Methods: The total sample of this study consists of 810 participants, who filled in a
questionnaire designed in the YOUth Got Talent project. Regression analyses were conducted
to explore expectations that interpersonal and institutional trust are positively associated with
future orientations (H1). Mediation analyses examined the expectation that JWB could
explain the relationship between adolescents’ trust and future orientations (H2).
Results: Results support both hypotheses on both forms of trust. JWB partially mediates the
relationship between both forms of trust and future orientations, with the mediation model
with interpersonal trust explaining 24,9% of future orientation outcomes, and the mediation
model with institutional trust explaining 19,2% of future orientation outcomes.
Conclusion: It is concluded that trust and just world beliefs might be interrelated in
predicting future orientations. Both are essential for shaping adolescents’ perspectives on the
future, highlighting the importance of cultivating trust to enhance adolescents’ future
orientations and well-being. Practical advice includes developing interventions to enhance
adolescents’social skills, promoting effective parenting strategies for trust within families,
and ensuring transparent communications from institutions. | |
