Less Trust, More Stress: New Mexicans Rethink Authority, Faith, Media Habits

Albuquerque, NM — In recent years, New Mexicans have become far less trusting of major industries, government and public figures, according to the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS ‘25). The survey was commissioned by The Garrity Group Public Relations and conducted by Research and Polling, Inc. The statewide survey also finds that fewer residents view faith as important in their lives, alongside higher stress levels and shifting habits in media consumption.

“Trust is the invisible glue that holds a productive society together,” says Tom Garrity, president of The Garrity Group Public Relations. “It fuels cooperation between people, organizations, and institutions, creating the conditions where communities can thrive. When individuals trust each other, they are more likely to collaborate, share ideas and work toward common goals. When residents have a favorable perception of institutions, they are more likely to follow laws, pay taxes, support public initiatives and engage in civic life. In short, trust enables systems to function efficiently without the constant need for oversight, enforcement or conflict resolution,” says Garrity.

The GPS‘25 was a random sample of 415 New Mexico residents who were interviewed for the survey between Feb. 3 and Feb. 16, 2025. Research & Polling Inc. conducted the last survey in 2023 and all previous surveys since 2011.

The GPS‘25 measures New Mexicans’ trust and favorability of various industries, institutions, people and professions. The survey includes overviews of how residents access news and information and their trust in government and corporations. It also explores the importance of faith in residents’ lives and their stress levels.

Industries & Institutions

New Mexico residents favor fewer industries and institutions than they did two years ago. Out of the 17 industries and institutions residents ranked seven saw a significant decline in favorability ratings.

Residents continue to favor the farm and ranch industry and small businesses but have a negative opinion toward major business corporations. Around 80% of residents view small businesses as favorable, but only 30% have a favorable opinion of major business corporations.

People & Professions

While residents continue to place a high level of trust in teachers, scientists and doctors, there has been a steep drop in public trust in these professions. In the 2023 Garrity Perception Survey, doctors were the most trusted professionals. But in 2025, teachers took the lead in public trust.

Residents are also losing trust in police officers, business owners, federal and state government officials, and religious leaders such as priests or pastors.

News & Information Sources

There has also been a shift in media consumption patterns. Just two years ago, more than half of residents relied on television for their news and information, but now 64% of residents prefer online sources such as websites or social media.

“In 2025, residents flipped the script with a preference to get their news and information from digital media (online news, blogs, podcasts, social media),” Garrity said. “Meanwhile, the frequency of using traditional forms of news and information sources dropped by double digits since 2020. Television dropped 19 points; radio dropped 11 points; newspaper (print or online) dropped 12 points.”

Distrust in Government & Corporations

More residents continue to have a lack of trust in the government and corporations.

Forty-eight percent of residents believe that the government and corporations can be trusted to do the right thing, yet the same percentage believes that corporations can rarely be trusted.

Importance of Faith

New Mexicans may also be losing faith. The importance of faith in New Mexico residents’ lives remains strong, though it has experienced a noticeable decline over the past decade. In 2011, 92% of New Mexico residents said that faith is important in their personal life (74% very important, 18% fairly important). In 2025, 84% of New Mexico residents said that faith is an important part of their personal life (64% very important, 20% fairly important).

“The decline in faith’s reported importance isn’t necessarily a decline in moral or spiritual values—it’s more a shift in how people define and express their faith and values,” Garrity said.

Higher Stress Levels

As confidence in government and corporations decline, stress levels among residents continue to rise. Over the past decade, more residents report feeling stressed out. Thirty-one percent of residents said they have high levels of stress compared to the 24% of residents who said the same in 2011.

“This increase could be tied to a range of contributing factors such as economic uncertainty, rising healthcare and housing costs, job instability, or the lingering mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also possible that increased awareness and openness about mental health are leading more people to acknowledge and report their stress,” Garrity said.

For more information and data, download the GPS‘25 by visiting https://garritypr.com/research/

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About the Garrity Perception Survey

The 2025 Garrity Perception Survey measures New Mexicans’ trust of 15 people/professions, favorability of 17 industries/institutions and how residents access news/information. The scientific survey of New Mexico residents was first deployed in 2011. The GPS‘25 is commissioned by The Garrity Group and conducted by Research & Polling Inc. The survey has a 95% level of confidence. All interviews were conducted between February 3 and February 16, 2025. To sign up for the Garrity Perception Survey Insights or to book a presentation, visit https://garritypr.com/research/.

About The Garrity Group

Established in 1997, The Garrity Group helps small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. The firm provides media relations and community engagement services for companies and organizations with a presence in New Mexico. For more information about the firm and our services, please visit www.garritypr.com.