Building Trust with Young People: A Science-Backed Approach

Trust is the foundation of meaningful relationships, particularly with young people, where it can foster growth, resilience, and mental well-being. At Apart of Me, we aim to support young people navigating grief and trauma, but this is near impossible without being able to trust. 

I’m Alexia, and I volunteer as a clinical researcher with Apart of Me. I’m also a PhD candidate, exploring digital mental health interventions for children and young people. I’m particularly interested in how we can enhance engagement in these interventions so that young people feel more positive and open about seeking support digitally. As I started exploring research, I noticed something that kept popping up: many young people feel a mistrust toward professionals. This feeling can make it difficult for them to seek help for mental health challenges and really connect with the support that's available. It’s important for us to understand what trust means and how we can apply that knowledge to build stronger, more trusting relationships with young people—helping them feel more comfortable reaching out and engaging with the support they need. For me, this is a fascinating area because, by improving digital interventions, we can offer more accessible treatment to young people worldwide, regardless of their background, and ultimately improve health equity.

The Science of Trust

Rooted in biology, psychology, and social dynamics, trust forms through a combination of hormonal activity, consistent behaviour, and shared experiences.

 

Oxytocin & Brain FunctionsOxytocin, known as the "love hormone," promotes trust when released during positive interactions (Marsh et al., 2021). It fosters feelings of closeness, but as research shows, it enhances trust more with familiar individuals (Van IJzendoorn & Bakermans-Kranenburg, 2012). Additionally, the amygdala, responsible for processing fear and emotions, assesses trustworthiness, while the prefrontal cortex evaluates the risks and rewards of trusting others (Winston et al., 2002).

Key Factors for Trust-Building

Reciprocity & ConsistencyYoung people reciprocate trust when it’s extended to them. Reciprocity, or the mutual exchange of trust, can create a cycle of trustworthiness (Berg et al., 1995). Consistent actions from adults further solidify trust by offering predictability and reducing uncertainty (Cialdini, 2009).

Social Influence & IdentityTrust increases within groups where individuals share common experiences or identities. Shared goals and experiences, even across diverse groups, can bridge trust gaps (Brewer, 1999). Exposure to broader social interactions can also elevate generalized trust, making young people more open to trusting strangers (Braesemann & Stephany, 2020).

 

By understanding the neurological, psychological, and social factors that influence trust, Apart of Me can create a safe, supportive environment that fosters genuine connections. This knowledge allows us to build trust-based relationships, offering a space where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered in their healing journey.

 

Here's how we aim to build trust with young people:

 

Building Trust with Young People

1. Boundary Setting: Clear, consistent boundaries make young people feel safe. Transparency about expectations fosters trust (Young Minds, 2024).

2. Open Communication: Honest, transparent communication that values young people’s feedback builds trust. When their opinions shape programs or services, they feel respected and valued (Ramsey et al., 2023).

3. Peer-Led Programs: Peer support is essential in creating relatable, trustworthy environments for young people. Studies show peer-led mental health programs enhance trust and engagement (Simmons et al., 2023).

4. Consistent Support: Reliability in adult-youth interactions is crucial. Consistent check-ins create a sense of stability, reinforcing trust (Young Minds).

5. Collaborative Goal Setting: Working together towards a shared goal fosters trust. Youth who see adults genuinely supporting their ambitions are more likely to trust them (Griffith et al., 2018).

6. Digital Engagement: Young people trust platforms that resonate with them. Social media and apps are effective for building trust, particularly in familiar, anonymous online spaces (Best et al., 2014; Gibson & Trnka, 2020).

7. Confidentiality: Ensuring confidentiality is critical, especially in sensitive contexts like mental health. When young people trust that their privacy is respected, they’re more likely to open up (Smith et al., 2011).

8. Education and Empowerment: Providing mental health education helps young people feel informed and in control, fostering trust in those offering support (Chen et al., 2018).

Conclusion

Building trust with young people requires a multi-faceted approach, from understanding the science behind trust to implementing practical strategies like boundary setting, consistent communication, and collaborative goal setting.

 

Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship with young people, and fostering it opens the door to deeper connection, support, and positive outcomes, ultimately aiding long-term emotional well-being.

 

References

1.  Marsh, N., Marsh, A. A., Lee, M. R., & Hurlemann, R. (2021). Oxytocin and the neurobiology of prosocial behavior. The Neuroscientist, 27(6), 604-619.

2. Van IJzendoorn, M. H., & Bakermans-Kranenburg, M. J. (2012). A sniff of trust: meta-analysis of the effects of intranasal oxytocin administration on face recognition, trust to in-group, and trust to out-group. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 37(3), 438-443.

3. Winston, J. S., Strange, B. A., O'Doherty, J., & Dolan, R. J. (2002). Automatic and intentional brain responses during evaluation of trustworthiness of faces. Nature Neuroscience, 5(3), 277-283.

4. Berg, J., Dickhaut, J., & McCabe, K. (1995). Trust, reciprocity, and social history. Games and Economic Behavior, 10(1), 122-142.

5. Cialdini, R. B. (2009). Influence: Science and practice. Pearson Education.

6. Brewer, M. B. (1999). The psychology of prejudice: Ingroup love and outgroup hate? Journal of Social Issues, 55(3), 429-444.

7. Braesemann, F., & Stephany, F. (2021). Between bonds and bridges: Evidence from a survey on trust in groups. Social Indicators Research, 153(1), 111-128.

8. Young Minds (2024, September 27) Building Supportive Relationships with Young People.  https://www.youngminds.org.uk/professional/resources/building-supportive-relationships-with-young-people/

9. Ramsey Dr, L. P., Sheard Dr, L., & O'Hara Dr, J. (2023). “Feedback is indeed a dainty dish to set before the Trust”: Comparing how online patient feedback is responded to and used across three hospital Trusts in England. Patient Experience Journal, 10(2), 49-58.

10. Simmons, M. B., Cartner, S., MacDonald, R., Whitson, S., Bailey, A., & Brown, E. (2023). The effectiveness of peer support from a person with lived experience of mental health challenges for young people with anxiety and depression: a systematic review. BMC Psychiatry, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04578-2

11.  Griffith, A. N., Larson, R. W., & Johnson, H. E. (2018). How trust grows: Teenagers’ accounts of forming trust in youth program staff. Qualitative Psychology, 5(3), 340–357. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000090

12. Best, P., Manktelow, R., & Taylor, B. J. (2014). Online communication, social media and adolescent wellbeing: A systematic narrative review. Children and Youth Services Review, 41, 27-36.

13. Gibson, K., & Trnka, S. (2020). Young people's priorities for support on social media:“It takes trust to talk about these issues”. Computers in human behavior, 102, 238-247.

14. Smith, B., Shin, R., & Officer, N. (2011). Trust in Mental Health Services: The Role of Confidentiality. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67(4), 400-410.

 Chen, X., Hay, J. L., Waters, E. A., Kiviniemi, M. T., Biddle, C., Schofield, E., ... & Orom, H. (2018). Health literacy and use and trust in health information. Journal of health communication, 23(8), 724-734.