Mindfulness and Trust: Survey Evidence on the Relationship Between Mindfulness Practice, Trait Mindfulness, and General Social Trust

ABSTRACT Objective Building on the established link between short‐term mindfulness and pro‐social behavior, we investigate the relationship between trait mindfulness, long‐term practice, and general social trust. Methods Using the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire, we survey 644 adult US citizens about their mindfulness habits and trait mindfulness. Additionally, we gather socio‐demographic and personality information and ask participants the social trust question from the General Social Survey. Using logistic regressions, we estimate the impact of trait mindfulness and practice upon social trust. Results We find that individuals who meditate regularly and for a longer duration are more trusting. Regular meditators are up to twice as likely to exhibit social trust as those who seldom meditate. Although it is not statistically significant, trait mindfulness is correlated with greater trust. We also find that the subscale measuring non‐reactivity is positively and statistically significantly related to trust. A one standard deviation increase in non‐reactivity increases the likelihood of exhibiting social trust by 20%–30%. Conclusion We argue that long‐term mindfulness is positively related to general social trust. This relationship represents an actionable policy organizations can use to improve general social trust, an aspect often missing from the academic literature on trust.