Researchers reveal link between loneliness and trust: large-scale experiment in 27 EU countries
European Commission researchers Elena Stepanova, Marius Alt and Astrid Hopfenzitz conducted a unique study to find out how loneliness affects trust in an economic context. The experiment involved more than 27,000 participants from 27 EU countries using a specially designed game model of trust.
The main findings of the study are:
- Loneliness does not reduce trust. Despite the assumptions of previous studies, lonely people have been found to be more likely to trust others than those who do not feel lonely. This is not due to their inflated expectations, but to a greater willingness to take social risks.
- People are kinder to those who are lonely. When participants were told that their playmate was experiencing loneliness, they trusted them more and were more likely to be generous. However, the expected trustworthiness of lonely partners remained at the same level as other participants.
- Loneliness as an incentive for social engagement. Lonely people are more likely to be willing to donate their time and volunteer in an effort to reconnect socially.
What it means? The study breaks stereotypes that loneliness is associated with social isolation or reduced confidence. Researchers emphasise that loneliness is a condition that can encourage people to regain lost connections, rather than being a barrier to social interaction.
"Our results suggest that loneliness should not be viewed as a destructive factor for social capital, but rather as an emotional state that requires recognition and support to reconnect," the study said.
Researchers call for policies to support lonely people, emphasising that they are willing to interact and rebuild social ties.The research provides new perspectives for managing social risks and building trust in society.
