Lee S. Subjective well-being and mental health during the pandemic outbreak: Exploring the role of institutional trust. Res Aging 2020; DOI: 10.1177/0164027520975145.
Trust in institutions is a resource for resilience
High levels of public trust in state (eg government, parliament) and non-state (eg media) institutions appear to be related to lower death rates from COVID-19, and facilitate acceptance of public information and scientific advice. On the other hand, low levels of trust may hinder management of the crisis. Older people are increasingly likely to encounter increased psychological distress, social isolation, depression and financial difficulties during the pandemic.
Social survey data from 31,757 individuals aged >50 from across 27 EU countries and the UK found that declines in finances and material resources were significantly associated with reduced quality of life and wellbeing. However, greater institutional trust significantly contributed to mental health and mediated the negative effects of perceived difficulties such as financial insecurity.
Previous studies have shown that, if institutional trust is undermined in a crisis, it is difficult to regain and has negative long-lasting effects on health and social wellbeing. It is important that institutions ensure that responses to a crisis are trustworthy. Institutional trust can serve as a resource for greater resilience.