The Relationship between Social Trust and Prosocial Tendencies

Trust and optimism are integral parts of social life. Social trust is an important aspect of human relations that underlie collaboration and cooperation among members of the society. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between social trust and prosocial tendencies. In this correlational study, 370 female students of Isfahan University were selected in cluster sampling completed Prosocial Tendencies Measure Revised (PTM-R) and Social Trust Questionnaire (Safarinia & Sharif, 1389). Data were analyzed by Pearson correlation coefficient and regression methods. The results of this study showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between social trust and prosocial tendencies (p<0/01) also there is a significant relationship between social trust and dimensions of prosocial tendencies such as public prosocial tendencies, altruistic prosocial tendencies, emotional prosocial tendencies, and compliant prosocial tendencies (p<0/01), and results of linear regression showed that social trust is a predictive factor for prosocial tendencies (β=0/558, p<0/01). According to the results reinforcement of social trust can be effective in enhancement of prosocial tendencies and improving the mental and social health.