Key takeaways
- A minority of adults believe most people can be trusted
- Partners assume the responsibility not to break each other’s trust
- It requires people to be honest and firm about boundaries
- They respect each other and share expectations
- They make an active effort to support each other
It’s officially the season to curl up with a good book or — if you’re so inclined — with a new partner. Is starting a relationship before the holidays better than waiting until the ice and snow go away?
When the temperature drops, the corresponding mood change is often connected to serotonin and melatonin, two chemicals in the body. Long, cold nights can trigger feelings of sadness and loneliness and a decline in serotonin levels. The link between what’s known as cuffing season and seasonal affective disorder is potentially significant.
Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is triggered by environmental stress and the change of seasons. In 2024, SAD was expected to peak in the first full week of November, so thankfully, that’s over. About 5% of the US population, which would correspond to more than 17 million people, experiences seasonal depression. The disorder typically continues for about 40% of the year.
Will the relationship last beyond the season?
In some cases, short-term cuffing relationships develop into something more, especially if people have fun together. The downside to dating during this season is that an individual might lock themselves into a relationship they don’t really want to be in, whether intentionally or unintentionally. The relationship might be with a person who isn’t a good match. Cuffing has negative connotations, including being with someone only out of need or desperation.
Trust is one essential element that can prove pivotal to the longevity of any relationship. It’s a precious commodity. According to a recent survey, just 30% of adults in 30 countries believe most people can be trusted. As of 2024, US singles agree that trust is a crucial factor in a healthy relationship, the others being mutual respect and effective communication. 45% of singles say poor communication is the top sign of an unhealthy relationship, followed by 42% who believe it’s a lack of trust. 38% rank infidelity as the top sign and 36% think it’s emotional immaturity.
What makes us trust a romantic partner?
Trust is ideally earned, not given. It requires a mutual exchange of vulnerability. When you trust your partner, you recognize that they have access to an essential part of you that you normally don’t share. You come to believe the person you trust despite the odds that they may somehow betray your trust or hurt you.
Someone you trust is held accountable to specific moral codes and rules that reinforce your support, safety, and well-being. The trusted partner assumes the responsibility not to break your trust. It requires people in a relationship to be honest and firm about their boundaries, respect each other, and share each other’s expectations.
You can build trust in a healthy relationship by committing to the other person and actively listening to what they say about their boundaries, their needs, and what’s important to them. This person comes to feel that you appreciate their values and their beliefs when you demonstrate that you care about their happiness, their safety, and their interests.
People must actively consider how they can support each other in times of need or how to build better connections.
How long does building trust take?
The answer is not unambiguous. It might be very easy or very hard. If there has been a breach of trust or someone else has hurt your partner in the past, it may take very long. Married adults are more likely than cohabiting individuals to share that there is a great deal of trust in the relationship.