Hope and emotional well-being: A six-year study to distinguish antecedents, correlates, and consequences

The role of hope in college transition: Its cross-lagged relationships with psychosocial resources and emotional well-being in first-year college students

INTRODUCTION

College transition is often regarded as the most stressful phase of life by college students. Hence, it is necessary to find ways to help them adjust more smoothly to this transition. Hope, as conceptualized by C. R. Snyder, has been widely studied as a predictor of optimal functioning and has been shown to be associated with better adjustment among college students. This study aimed to shed light on the role of hope in college transition by examining its unique reciprocal relationships with an array of important psychosocial resources and emotional well-being among first-year college students.

METHODS

Data were collected from a sample of Hong Kong college freshmen (N = 433, Medianage = 18 years old, 63.7% female) at two time points. At each time point, participants completed self-reported measures tapping into their levels of hope, psychosocial resources, and emotional well-being. Psychological resources included general and academic self-efficacy, meaning in life, and optimism. Social resources included secure attachment, perceived school environment, and social support. Emotional well-being was operationalized as positive and negative emotions. Cross-lagged panel models were constructed and tested by path analyses.

RESULTS

When autoregression and the effects of other variables were controlled, a greater sense of hope uniquely predicted higher levels of general and academic self-efficacy, greater presence of life meanings, more secure attachment, and more positive and fewer negative emotions. On the other hand, higher levels of meaning in life (both presence and search) and social support uniquely predicted greater hope. Academic hope and presence of life meanings reciprocally predicted one another, whereas other significant cross-lagged relationships were unidirectional.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest interventions that promote hope can be useful in helping college freshmen adjust to the new college environment by enhancing their psychosocial resources and emotional well-being. Such interventions would be more effective if they included elements that boost meaning in life and social support, which are expected to further enhance the perceptions of hope.

The Longitudinal Relationship between Cyberbullying Victimization and Loneliness among Chinese Middle School Students: The Mediating Effect of Perceived Social Support and the Moderating Effect of Sense of Hope

Compared with traditional forms of bullying (e.g., physical bullying, verbal bullying), cyberbullying victimization can bring heavy psychological damage to the victim of bullying. Studies have found that cyberbullying victimization leads to higher levels of depression and causes anger and emotional problems. Nevertheless, existing studies mainly focus on traditional bullying while affording scant consideration to the longitudinal impact of cyberbullying on mental well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of cyberbullying victimization on middle school students' loneliness while simultaneously investigating the mediating role of perceived social support and the moderating role of feelings of hope. A total of 583 middle school students were surveyed using four self-report questionnaires. Cyberbullying victimization predicts loneliness. Perceived social support mediates the role of cyberbullying victimization in influencing cyberbullying. Sense of hope moderated the direct pathway and the second half of the mediating role pathway. First, many mediating and moderating variables of cyberbullying victimization affect loneliness, and different mediating and moderating variables can be studied in the future. Second, future studies could expand this study's sample to validate the results of this study. Third, this study only collected data at two time points, and future studies could collect data at multiple time points. Cyberbullying victimization can increase loneliness over time. Perceived social support and a sense of hope can mitigate the effects of cyberbullying victimization on an individual's mental health.

Hope in adolescence and subsequent health and well-being in adulthood: An outcome-wide longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

A sense of hopelessness is rising at alarming levels among adolescents in the United States. There is urgent need to understand the potential implications of being hopeful on adolescents' future health and wellbeing.

METHODS

This study utilized data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 11,038, mean age at baseline = 15 years) to prospectively examine the relationship between baseline hope and a wide range of outcomes 12 years later. Thirty-eight outcomes were examined in the domains of physical health, health behavior, mental health, psychological well-being, social factors, and civic and prosocial behavior. Regression models were used to regress each outcome on baseline hope separately. Models controlled for a wide range of factors as well as prior values of the exposure (hope) and outcomes.

RESULTS

Having hope for the future in adolescence was associated with improvements in 11 subsequent outcomes after Bonferonni correction, including higher cognition and self-rated health, less physical inactivity, fewer depressive symptoms, lower perceived stress, and improvement on a number of psychological and social factors including greater happiness, more satisfaction with parenting, and increased voting and volunteering in adulthood. There were also a number of associations that were close to the null, which are equally important to explore and understand.

IMPLICATIONS

The results of the study may have important implications for hope-based efforts and programs aimed at improving the lives of young people and promoting their current and future well-being.

Problematic Use of the Internet and Well-Being among Youth from a Global Perspective: A Mediated-Moderated Model of Socio-Emotional Factors

Problematic Use of the Internet (PUI) is characterized as the inability to control one's internet use or as an excessive use of the internet that may result in social, psychological, and emotional difficulties (Fernandes et al., 2019). It is regarded nowadays as an increasingly worrisome public heath issue, especially among youth. This study explored the contexts in which youth PUI occurs and its associations with socio-emotional functioning that may lead to a decrease in one's sense of well-being. We conducted this exploration among 783 middle school students from the US (425 students; 54.27%) and Israel (358 students; 45.73%). The overall age of both samples ranged between 12 and 16 (M = 13.94, SD = 1.59). In the Israeli sample, 49.1% of the students were girls and 50.9% were boys, whereas in the US sample, 48.8% were girls and 51.2% were boys. The study examined the role of depressive mood, loneliness, resilience, self-control, and school engagement in mediating the relationship between PUI and well-being, and how country of origin might moderate these relationships. Results indicate PUI was related to lower well-being only for the US sample. Yet, for both samples, higher loneliness was related to lower well-being, and higher school engagement was related to higher well-being. A moderated mediation analysis revealed the socio-emotional variables were all mediators in these associations, but differently for each country sample. The study results are discussed according to key factors required for developing intervention programs for coping with youth PUI behaviors.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Children's Hope Scale in Indonesia: Adapting a Positive Psychosocial Tool for Adolescents With Thalassemia

Background: Hope is regarded positively as a factor in achieving a higher quality of life, particularly in chronic disease patients. Objectives: This study aims to adapt, validate, and establish the reliability of the Children's Hope Scale (CHS) questionnaire in Indonesian adolescents with thalassemia. Methods: The current study used iterative mixed methods. The data collection procedure was divided into three stages: instrument translation and cultural adaptation, validation, and reliability. The Content Validity Index (CVI) was used to assess the translated instrument's content validity, importance, contextual relevance, and acceptability of wording. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to determine the factor structure of the CHS. Pearson correlation analyses were used to determine the associations between the two hope subscales. Cronbach's alpha coefficient and test-retest data were used to determine its reliability. Results: The CVI values ranged from 0.80 to 1.00. The CFA has shown that the two-factor model has adequate fitness factors. The Cronbach's alpha for the Indonesian CHS was 0.705, and the test reliability rate (CI 95%) was 0.81 (.73-.91). Conclusion: The CHS is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing hope in Indonesia. Additional research should be conducted to adapt and evaluate the CHS in other samples and social context in order to verify the factor consistency.

Find Joy in Sorrows: The Role of Hope in Buffering the Psychological Impact of COVID-19 on Chinese University Students in Hong Kong

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis has exerted significant psychological impacts on university students who have faced drastic changes in the learning mode and suspension of classes. Despite these challenges, many students maintained subjective well-being. In this study, we examined the role of "hope" as a potential protector to maintain their subjective well-being when facing adversity during this global crisis. Specifically, we explored the mediating role of two hope components (agency thinking and pathways thinking) on the association of positive emotions and life satisfaction among Chinese university students. We conducted an online survey at a local university and recruited a total of 315 undergraduates from the humanities, creative arts, and social sciences programs through convenience sampling. Participants confirmed their informed consent and completed a set of self-administered questionnaires measuring positive emotions, hope, life satisfaction, and demographic variables. The results of mediation testing indicated that, during a global crisis such as COVID-19, positive emotions indirectly influenced life satisfaction through agency thinking rather than pathways thinking. The findings highlight the importance of agency thinking among Chinese university students in adverse situations and provide valuable insights for psychological interventions during a crisis. The article concludes by discussing possible explanations and implications of the findings in a post-pandemic world.

Advancing the study of life and death education: theoretical framework and research inquiries for further development

Life and death education, also known as life education and death education, is an interesting subject that may coincide with the subject of lifespan development. In brief, from our theoretical perspective, which guides our teaching and curriculum development, life education considers personal understanding of life functioning on a daily basis, whereas death education explores matters that are related to death and dying. For example, how can a social worker utilize his life knowledge, or life wisdom, to assist a relative to understand the intricate nature of death? In a similar vein, how can a senior citizen use her personal experience of Buddhist meditation practice to overcome a minor Covid setback? Central to our teaching practice is the premise of 'active transformation' (i.e., transforming life knowledge into positive practice) and the premise of 'theoretical infusion' (e.g., the infusion of a distinctive epistemological belief in the teaching of life) that would, in turn, help to enhance and facilitate deep, meaningful understanding of life and death. The purpose of the present article is for us to discuss a proposition of a theoretical-conceptual model, which depicts the 'unification' or integration of three major viewpoints of life and death: the social viewpoint, the philosophical viewpoint, and the psychological viewpoint. We theorize that unification of the three theoretical viewpoints may help provide grounding for effective teaching and holistic understanding of the subject contents of life and death. Such discourse, importantly, may also assist to advance the scope and complexity of the lifespan development subject. Finally, in addition to our theoretical-conceptual model of life and death, we propose three major research inquiries for development: the meaning of situated mindset, the underlying nature of spiritual transcendence, and proposition of appropriate methodological accounts for usage. Overall, then, we purport that our conceptual analysis and discussion overview, based on philosophical reflection, may serve to stimulate interest, intellectual curiosity, scholarly dialog, etc.

The Indirect Relationship Between Spiritual Experiences and Subjective Wellbeing Through Hope? A Sample of Chilean Students

Spirituality and religiousness are important factors for adolescents wellbeing. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying the positive relationship between spirituality as well as religiousness and subjective wellbeing. This study aimed to verify, whether, in a sample of Chilean students, religiousness is indirectly related to hope through spiritual experiences, and whether spiritual experiences are indirectly related to subjective wellbeing via hope. The sample consisted of 177 Chilean students and the following measures were applied: the Daily Spiritual Experiences Scale, the Herth Hope Index, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and one item measuring the frequencies of prayer and Mass attendance. According to obtained results religiousness was indirectly, positively related to hope through spiritual experiences. In turn spiritual experiences were indirectly, positively related to subjective wellbeing through hope. Conducted research confirmed the beneficial role of religious practices, spiritual experiences, and hope for Chilean students' subjective wellbeing and the presence of mechanisms underlying the relationships between religiousness as well as spirituality and subjective wellbeing.

A Literature Review on the Role of Hope in Promoting Positive Youth Development across Non-WEIRD Contexts

Theoretical and empirical evidence has identified hope as a key adolescent strength that is linked to positive youth developmental outcomes. Although hope must be understood from a cultural lens, most of the evidence regarding adolescent hope is derived from samples of white youth from Western, educated, industrialized, rich, and democratic (WEIRD) nations. Therefore, in order to have a more comprehensive and global understanding of the antecedents, outcomes, and processes of hope, we apply a positive youth development perspective in order to review the literature (N = 52 studies) on hope from diverse cultural and international contexts. In organizing the findings by global region, our review provides evidence of the shared function of hope in promoting positive youth developmental outcomes and the usefulness of the Child Hope Scale across contexts. Family and parental relationships were identified as key assets in promoting hope; however, there exists cultural and contextual variation in what aspects of these relationships promote hope. We conclude this review by considering the priorities for research, practice, and policy, based on these findings.

The lived experience of surviving from the Islamic State attack and capture in Iraq and Syria: An arts-based qualitative study with Yazidi young women

BACKGROUND

In August 2014, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attacked the Sinjar district and destroyed several villages and towns and killed several individuals.

AIM

In this study, the Yazidi young women who survived the ISIS attack were encouraged to express their lived experiences through paintings following participation in a 6-month art-based intervention program.

METHODS

A total of 13 Yazidi Kurdish females aged 18 to 25 years (Mean: 21.7 years) were invited to participate in an art-based (drawing and painting) course for 6 months in 2018. They were invited to draw or paint images that portrayed their lived experiences of attack and capture by the ISIS. Qualitative research situated within feminist methodology was used with the young women in this study. The interviews were analyzed using the descriptive content analysis method.

RESULTS

The paintings and narratives of the participants were constructed into three main themes: fear and traumatic experiences; feeling of hopelessness; and freedom and hope. During the attack and capture, due to the escape, rape, and horrific treatments by the ISIS fighters, the young women were traumatized severely. They were sold as a sex slave by the ISIS fighters. The participants still had severe anxiety and psychological challenges after being free from the capture. However, despite their traumatic experiences and feeling of hopelessness, most of them were hoping for freedom and a better future.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that the Yazidi young females still experienced psychological challenges burdens even 3 years after the traumatic day. However, the participants showed their resilience through feeling hopeful for freedom and a better future.

Psychopathology, Protective Factors, and COVID-19 among Adolescents: A Structural Equation Model

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in December 2019 and the associated restrictions, mental health in children and adolescents has been increasingly discussed in the media. Negative impacts of the pandemic, including a sharp increase in psychopathology and, consequently, reduced quality of life, appear to have particularly affected children and young people, who may be especially vulnerable to the adverse effects of isolation. Nevertheless, many children and adolescents have managed to cope well with the restrictions, without deterioration of their mental health. The present study therefore explored the links between COVID-19 infection (in oneself or a family member, as well as the death of a family member due to the virus), protective factors such as self-efficacy, resilience, self-esteem, and health-related quality of life, and measures of psychopathology such as depression scores, internalizing/externalizing problems, emotion dysregulation, and victimization. For this purpose, we examined data from 2129 adolescents (mean age = 12.31, SD = 0.67; 51% male; 6% born outside of Germany) using a structural equation model. We found medium to high loadings of the manifest variables with the latent variables (COVID-19, protective factors, and psychopathology). Protective factors showed a significant negative correlation with psychopathology. However, COVID-19 had a weak connection with psychopathology in our sample. External pandemic-related factors (e.g., restrictions) and their interaction with existing psychopathology or individual protective factors appear to have a greater influence on young people's mental health than the impact of the virus per se. Sociopolitical efforts should be undertaken to foster prevention and promote individual resilience, especially in adolescence.

Optimists and Realists: A Latent Class Analysis of Students Graduating from High School during COVID-19 and Impacts on Affect and Well-Being

The Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had profound effects on physical and mental health worldwide. Students transitioning out of high school were uniquely impacted at the onset of the pandemic, having missed the opportunity to properly mark the end of their final year in the K-12 school system. The adverse effects of this loss on this population are still unknown. The purpose of the current study was to examine stress, wellbeing, and affect in a sample of 168 students (N = 168; Mage = 17.0, SD = 0.46; 60% female; 40% male) who were completing their final year of high school during the early stages of the pandemic when emergency stay-at-home orders were in place. Participants completed an online survey assessing the impact of COVID-19 on their life satisfaction (pre-COVID19, during COVID-19, and anticipated five years from now), stress, positive affect, and negative affect. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to create classes of participants based on their responses to the pandemic. A two-subgroup solution provided the best model for the life satisfaction outcome variable. Subgroup 1, optimists, comprised 24% (N = 40) of the sample and reported high life satisfaction ratings one year prior to COVID-19 and a slight decrease in life satisfaction during COVID-19, and they anticipated an increase in life satisfaction 5 years from now. This group was characterized by low stress, low negative affect, and high positive affect during the pandemic. Subgroup 2, realists, comprised 76% of the population (N = 128) and experienced similarly high retrospective ratings of pre-COVID life satisfaction but a larger decrease in life satisfaction during the pandemic and a smaller increase in five years. The realist group was characterized by low positive affect, high stress, and high negative affect during the pandemic. The findings suggest that during the pandemic, certain subsamples of adolescents had greater difficulty in managing this transitional period and experienced changes in mood and well-being (i.e., affect, stress) as compared to other adolescents (i.e., optimists). Future research should investigate the characteristics and coping mechanisms that are instrumental for increasing life satisfaction and positive affect while lowering stress in this population.

Physical Exercise, Social Capital, Hope, and Subjective Well-Being in China: A Parallel Mediation Analysis

Based on data from the 2017 China General Social Survey, a conditional process analysis was conducted to explore the association between physical exercise and subjective well-being, as well as the parallel mediating effect of social networks and a sense of hope. The results showed that physical exercise had a significant positive predictive effect on the participants' subjective well-being. Furthermore, social networks and a sense of hope mediated the association between physical exercise and subjective well-being. Physical exercise indirectly promoted subjective well-being by enhancing social networks and a sense of hope. However, the indirect effect of a sense of hope on the association between physical exercise and subjective well-being was greater than that of social networks. The results of this study revealed the internal mechanism of the effect of participation in physical exercise on the improvement of subjective well-being, which is of great significance for formulating relevant policies and plans to further improve Chinese residents' well-being.

Life satisfaction and the mediating role of character strengths and gains in informal caregivers

WHAT IS KNOWN ON THE SUBJECT?: The role of informal caregiver can have both negative and positive consequences for a person's well-being. The main theoretical framework for explaining these consequences is the stress process model, which considers contextual variables, stressors and mediating/moderating factors. The latter are psychosocial factors such as coping strategies, personal mastery, social support or beliefs and values which may influence caregiver well-being. The perception of gains in caregiving has also been proposed as a mediating variable since it may act as a coping strategy. However, few studies have examined values and perceived gains as mediating variables with life satisfaction as the outcome. WHAT THE PAPER ADDS TO EXISTING KNOWLEDGE?: This study explores the role of character strengths and caregiver gains as mediators between stressors and life satisfaction in informal caregivers of persons with dementia. The results identify hope as a key character strength, its lack being one pathway through which stress may lead to low life satisfaction and low perceived gains from caregiving. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE?: Caregivers who experience a lack of hope may be less able to generate goals and be less motivated to achieve them. Our findings are relevant to gerontological nursing based on the Senses Framework as they confirm the importance of the senses of purpose and achievement. Nursing and care staff can play an active role in helping informal caregivers to meet their goals by promoting these two senses, thereby fostering a more positive caregiving experience. ABSTRACT: Introduction Being an informal caregiver can have both negative and positive consequences for well-being. Within the framework of the stress process model, few studies have examined values and perceived gains of caregiving as mediating variables of life satisfaction. Aim To explore the role of character strengths and perceived gains as mediators in the association between life satisfaction and primary and secondary stressors in informal caregivers of persons with dementia. Method Participants were 112 informal caregivers. Hierarchical regression, correlation and mediation analyses were performed. Results Lower life satisfaction was associated with being female, unmarried, caring for someone with greater cognitive impairment, a higher level of stress, having restricted leisure time and perceiving financial difficulties. Hope mediated the associations between perceived stress and both life satisfaction and perceived gains of caregiving. Discussion Hope is a key strength and its lack is one pathway through which stress may cause low satisfaction and low perceived gains from caregiving. Implications for practice Without hope, it is difficult for caregivers to generate goals and be motivated to achieve them. Nursing and care staff should aim to promote a sense of purpose and achievement among informal caregivers so as to foster a more positive caring experience.

A multimethod examination of hope and adolescent STEM career expectancies

INTRODUCTION

Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are growing rapidly and understanding adolescent's interest and hope for pursuing a STEM career is essential for additional growth and opportunity collectively and individually. Hope is a cognitive-motivational construct that includes three components: hopeful future expectations (HFEs), intentional self-regulation (ISR), and connection, and is associated with academic achievement and career pursuit; it has not been examined in relation to STEM. This study fills a gap in the literature by taking a multimethod approach to understanding the association between adolescents' hope and STEM career interests.

METHODS

Participants were 639 middle- and high-school adolescents in the southwestern United States who quantitatively reported their hope and STEM career interests and provided qualitative descriptions of reasons for wanting to pursue a STEM career.

RESULTS

Quantitatively, HFEs significantly and positively predicted STEM career interest. Relations were examined by gender and school level. For middle-school girls, ISR significantly predicted STEM career interest, for middle-school boys and high-school girls, HFEs positively significantly predicted STEM career interest, but results of high-school boys were nonsignificant. Qualitatively, adolescents mentioned reasons aligning with HFEs and ISR as motivations for pursuing a STEM career, as well as prosocial motivations. Additionally, they discussed their interest in a STEM career as a way to pursue other goals such as financial stability.

DISCUSSION

Findings highlight the possibility of hope as a malleable motivation for STEM career pursuit. Our findings support the components of hope as a salient associate of early STEM career interest, with adolescents who have high HFEs and ISR being particularly apt to say they would like to pursue a STEM career. Our results support the active development of hope among US adolescents as a catalyst toward personal and global success.

The role of hope in language teachers' changing stress, coping, and well-being☆

Language teaching has been described as a “profession in crisis”; a situation likely worsened by the effects of an emergency conversion to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study examines two waves of data (from April and November 2020) on stress, coping, and well-being during those eight months. Results show an increase in teachers' stress associated with health and travel but decreases in stress due to online teaching and the shortage of goods in retail stores. There was a significant reduction in coping behavior as teachers settled into the new normal. Well-being, as measured by PERMA, declined significantly, and there was a significant increase in sadness, loneliness, and anger. However, teachers reported an increasing sense of growth during trauma. Time 2 data included a measure of hope, defined by feelings of agency and available pathways to goal achievement. Rarely has hope been studied among teachers in general or language teachers in particular. Results show significant, positive correlations between hope and various measures of successful coping and teacher well-being, including a sense of growth over time. The study suggests the time frame of the study was especially difficult for teachers, but that hope is associated with more positive outcomes.

Hope and life satisfaction among Chinese shadow education tutors: The mediating roles of positive coping and perceived social support

Previous studies of the relationship between hope and life satisfaction left the underlying mechanism of how hope predicts life satisfaction unexplored to scholars. This study thus investigates the two potential mediators in the relationship between hope and life satisfaction among a sample of Chinese shadow education institution (SEI) tutors who may be under immense professional development pressure from a cross-sectional approach. The main body of the study consists of an online survey in which 221 SEI tutors reported their hope, positive coping, perceived social support, and life satisfaction. The survey results were analyzed using mediation and moderation analysis via SPSS 23.0. The results indicated that positive coping improved the relationship between hope and life satisfaction, supporting the hypothesis regarding the serial mediating effect of positive coping and perceived social support. In other words, tutors with a high level of hope tend to adopt positive coping strategies, thus will receive more social support and improve life satisfaction. Our findings revealed the independent and accumulative mediating effects of positive coping and perceived social support on the relationship between hope and life satisfaction, and had implications for the psychological intervention of SEI tutors who are currently facing enormous industry pressure.

Development and Validation of the Career and Life Development Hope (CLDH) Scale among Non-Engaged Youth in Hong Kong

Increasing career and life development hope (CLDH) is critical for the career and life pursuits of non-engaged youths (NEY) who face various disadvantages in the school-to-work transition, especially considering current challenging labor market conditions and the impacts of the pandemic. Nevertheless, research that explores the assessment of CLDH among NEY is scarce. To address this gap, this study aimed to develop and validate a CLDH measurement instrument. A total of 1998 NEY aged 13-29 years in Hong Kong participated in our study. Exploratory factor analysis of the 20-item CLDH scale suggested a two-factor structure-career and life development pathways (CLDP) and career and life development agency (CLDA)-which accounted for 63.08% of the total variance. The confirmatory factor analysis results show a good model fit (CFI = 0.934, TLI = 0.926, RMSEA = 0.060, 90% CI [0.055, 0.065], SRMR = 0.042) and all the items significantly represented the corresponding sub-constructs. The results also demonstrate a satisfactory internal consistency for all subscales and the full scale (0.89-0.95). Sub-group consistency across subsamples categorized by gender, age, and years of residence in Hong Kong was indicated. Correlations between the CLDH scale and subscales with other career-related and social well-being outcomes (i.e., youth career development competency, career adaptability, civic engagement, social contribution, and social integration) showed good concurrent validity. Our results support that the CLDH scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring NEY's hope for career and life development in the Hong Kong context. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are also discussed.

Hope, Purpose, and Religiosity: The Impact of Psychosocial Resources on Trajectories of Depressive Symptoms Among Middle-Aged and Older Blacks

Objective: We assessed the effects of hope, purpose in life, and religiosity on trajectories of depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older Blacks, with a focus on age differences in these associations. Methods: Data come from 1906 respondents from the 2006-2016 Health and Retirement Study. Linear mixed models were estimated and included interactions between age and time and between age and each psychosocial resource. Results: Depressive symptoms decreased for Blacks ages 51-64, did not change for those 65-74, and increased among Blacks age 75+. Hope and purpose in life were inversely associated with symptom levels but were not associated with change over time in symptomology. Associations were stronger among the youngest age group and weakest among the oldest. Religiosity was unrelated to depressive symptoms. Discussion: Psychosocial resources protect against depressive symptoms in age-dependent ways among middle-aged and older Blacks. Differences in these effects may be related to aging, cohort, and selection effects.

Life skills training, hope, and health: An interventional study in the North West of Iran during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives

Suburbanization is associated with an individual's health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of life skills training on the hope and health of women referred to comprehensive health service centers in the suburbs of Khoy city.

Study design

quasi-experimental study (Pre-test/Post-test with a control group)

Methods

in this study, out of 5 comprehensive health service centers, two centers were selected as intervention and comparison groups, and from each center, 37 women were randomly selected. At first, both groups completed the Goldberg general health questionnaire and the Miller hope questionnaire, and the intervention group was taught life skills. At the end of the training, both groups were re-evaluated. Descriptive statistics such as frequency distribution and dispersion indices were used in data analysis. Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests were used in inferential statistics.

Results

Group training in life skills did not significantly affect hope (P.value = 0.972) and various aspects of health (P.value = 0.421).

Conclusions

It seems that only interventions such as life skills training will not improve suburban women's hope and health. Perhaps improving social infrastructure and comprehensive living conditions in suburban areas will promote hope and health.

Trends and Variation in the Gap Between Current and Anticipated Life Satisfaction in the United States, 2008-2020

Objectives. To describe national- and county-level trends and variation in a novel measure of hope. Methods. Using data from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index (n = 2 766 728), we summarized the difference between anticipated life satisfaction (ALS) and current life satisfaction (CLS), measured by the Cantril Self-Anchoring Scale, for each year from 2008 to 2020 and by county over two 5-year periods in the United States. Results. Across all years, there was a significant positive trend in the difference between ALS and CLS for the nation (P = .024), which remained positive but not significant when we excluded 2020. Maintenance of ALS with a decrease in CLS drove the 2020 increase. From 2008-2012 to 2013-2017, 14.5% of counties with 300 or more responses (n = 599) experienced an increase in the difference of more than 1 SD, whereas 13.9% experienced a more than 1 SD decrease. Fifty-two counties experienced decreases in ALS and CLS. Conclusions. Responding to trends in the gap between ALS and CLS at national and local levels is essential for the collective well-being of our nation, especially as we navigate and emerge from crisis.

Toward a Unified Framework for Positive Psychology Interventions: Evidence-Based Processes of Change in Coaching, Prevention, and Training

Since 2000, research within positive psychology has exploded, as reflected in dozens of meta-analyses of different interventions and targeted processes, including strength spotting, positive affect, meaning in life, mindfulness, gratitude, hope, and passion. Frequently, researchers treat positive psychology processes of change as distinct from each other and unrelated to processes in clinical psychology. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for positive psychology processes that crosses theoretical orientation, links coherently to clinical psychology and its more dominantly "negative" processes, and supports practitioners in their efforts to personalize positive psychological interventions. We argue that a multi-dimensional and multi-level extended evolutionary approach can organize effective processes of change in psychosocial interventions, by focusing interventions on context-appropriate variation, selection, and retention of processes, arranged in terms of key biopsychosocial dimensions across psychological, biophysiological, and sociocultural levels of analysis. We review widely studied positive psychology constructs and programs and show how this evolutionary approach can readily accommodate them and provide a common language and framework for improving human and community flourishing. We conclude that Interventions should start with the person, not the protocol.

Family and Friends Support and Hope in Chinese Adolescents: The Mediating Effects of Self-Esteem

Structural equation modeling was used to investigate presumed antecedents of hope in a community-based sample of Chinese adolescents. Specifically, we evaluated the mediating role of self-esteem in the link between social support from family and friends and individual differences in hope. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Children's Hope Scale were administered to 1,654 adolescent students (781 boys and 873 girls) from Chinese senior high schools. Social support from family and friends correlated equally with hope levels of participants, demonstrating the importance of both sources of support. Self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between family support and hope and partially (23.6%) mediated the relationship between friends support and hope. Results support a social-cognitive model of the origins of hope among adolescents. Findings also suggest implications for the design of hope-promoting environments for adolescents that extend beyond a focus on the individual to incorporate more comprehensive systemic components, including social support from family and friends. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

Herth Hope Index: A Psychometric Evaluation Study within a Sample of Greek Patients with Cancer

Objectives:

This study aims to develop the Greek version of the Herth Hope Index (HHI) and assess its psychometric properties to a palliative care patient sample, using a cross-sectional design.

Materials and Methods:

The HHI was translated into Greek (HHI-Gr) using the ‘forward-backward’ procedure. It was administered to 130 eligible cancer patients, while for the stability of patients’ responses, 40 of these patients completed the HHI-Gr 3 days later. Along with the HHI-Gr, patients also completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS). The HHI-Gr internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s a), stability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]), factor structure (factor analysis) and convergent validity (correlation with the HADS and the BHS questionnaires) were examined using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status.

Results:

The HHI-Gr yielded a one-factor model and a Cronbach alpha (0.860) with excellent internal consistency reliability and stability ICC (>0.90). Satisfactory convergent validity was supported by the correlation analysis between the HHI-Gr and BHS (r = 0.718, P < 0.001). Overall test-retest reliability was satisfactory with a range between 0.77 and 0.96 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

These results demonstrate that the HHI-Gr is an instrument with satisfactory psychometric properties and is a valid research tool for the measurement of the levels of hope among Greek oncology patients.

Balancing the story of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A narrative review of the literature on strengths

For many years, researchers have explored the complex challenges experienced by individuals with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). This research has been important for documenting the brain‐ and body‐based impacts of prenatal alcohol exposure and the psychosocial vulnerabilities and environmental adversities frequently associated with FASD. It has also supported advocacy efforts and highlighted the necessity of providing FASD services and supports. However, with the focus on deficits and needs, there is a considerable gap in the literature on the strengths and successes of individuals with FASD. The lack of strengths‐based FASD research has likely perpetuated the stress and stigma experienced by individuals with FASD and their families. Thus, there is a critical need to shift the direction of the field. Here we provide a narrative review of the literature on strengths in FASD. Our goals are to: (1) understand the state of strengths‐based research related to individuals with FASD across the lifespan, and (2) describe positive characteristics, talents, and abilities of individuals with FASD that may be cultivated to promote their fulfillment and well‐being. We identified a total of 19 studies, most of which were conducted to explore the lived experiences of adults with FASD. This preliminary but critical body of evidence highlights the intrinsic strengths of individuals with FASD, including strong self‐awareness, receptiveness to support, capacity for human connection, perseverance through challenges, and hope for the future. Despite the importance of this emerging evidence, appraisal of the literature indicates a need for more intentional, methodologically rigorous, participatory, and theory‐driven research in this area. Findings from this study, including the identified gaps in the literature, can be used to inform research, practice, and policy to meaningfully advance the field of FASD and promote positive outcomes in this population.

Fear vs. hope in India: Finding the silver lining amid the dark clouds of COVID-19

COVID-19 has been declared a global pandemic, and the associated high rates of morbidity and mortality have made individuals susceptible to mental health problems that affect their psychological well-being. Although individual strengths can shield the negative impact of adverse conditions, their protective role in the context of COVID-19 has not received much attention. This study examines the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and mental health via rumination through the lens of hope as a personal psychological strength. This study employed a two-wave longitudinal design. Data was collected from 412 Indian participants with a time interval of three months and analyzed using a two-step approach to structural equation modelling. Fear of COVID-19 was found to a have negative effect on mental health through rumination. However, results from moderation analysis support the role of hope as a buffer against the indirect negative impact of fear of COVID-19 on mental health outcomes. As one of the first studies to demonstrate the role of psychological strengths of individuals in coping with the direct and indirect psychological ramifications of COVID-19 over a period of time, it contains important implications for the development of mental health interventions in the face of this global crisis.

Symbols of Hope on Pediatric Oncology Ward: Children's Perspective Using Photovoice

Background Hope nurtures confidence and enhances positivity. It is known to be a critical factor in illness, recovery and healing. This study aimed to identify the views of hospitalized children with cancer about the circumstances and factors that create hope for them in the oncology ward. Methods: This qualitative study explored children's experiences using Photovoice, which is an arts-based approach. Twenty children aged 6-12 years diagnosed with various cancers at a Pediatric Hospital in Tehran, Iran, participated in this study. Participants were requested to take photographs of objects, circumstances, or anything that gave them hope or represented a sign of hope in the oncology ward. The photographs were then used to facilitate face-to-face interviews with these children. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Data analysis revealed six main themes: emotional connectedness with nursing staff; the playroom as a means to soften the hospital space; the presence of a parent; symbols of recovery; a touch of nature in the hospital setting; and escaping the hospital cage. Discussion: Hopefulness among children can emanate from diverse events and circumstances within the hospital environment. Nurses and physicians need an understanding of children's perspectives to design interventions to improve hopefulness among hospitalized children with cancer.

Hope levels across adolescence and the transition to high school: Associations with school stress and achievement

INTRODUCTION

Feeling hopeful is an important condition for adolescents' health, well-being, and educational success and attainment, yet limited research has examined hope at different ages throughout adolescence. Information regarding hope levels across grade could help educators know when to capitalize on goal-setting behaviors, and when to intervene should hope levels be low. Additionally, hope could help with the middle to high school transition because it presents opportunities and challenges, including school-related stress, as students adjust to new environments and expectations.

METHODS

To investigate hope levels across adolescence, inter- and intra-personal analyses examined hope levels across grade-level in two cohorts of southwestern U.S. students (n = 1,018, 6th-10th grade students, 47% female, 55% White/45% non-White, (predominately Latinx)). The study used online self-report surveys to collect data. Next, longitudinal regression analyses across one year investigated relations of school stress and hope, and hope and achievement across the transition to high school.

RESULTS

Students in both cohorts reported relatively stable hope levels from 6th to 10th grade, except for large decreases in hope during 8th grade, which recovered during 9th grade. For longitudinal analyses across the high school transition, student stress about school performance primarily influenced 8th graders who had relatively low hope. Eighth grade hope predicted 9th grade academic achievement.

CONCLUSION

Findings regarding hope across adolescence show that hope is similar across grade, except for a large decrease in hope that may occur before the transition to high school. Longitudinal analyses showed that school performance stress may contribute to this decrease but may also assist in hope recovery after the transition. Findings support educational practices and policies that target student hope before the high school transition to potentially buffer student stress and promote high school achievement.

"I had hope. I loved this city once.": A mixed methods study of hope within the context of poverty

The purpose of this emergent mixed methods study was to measure hope in individuals living in poverty and to explore potential contextual influences on hope. We used a sequential mixed methods study in which the quantitative phase was administered first followed by a qualitative phase. Participants in impoverished areas scored higher in hope than a comparison group of university students. In a follow-up qualitative phase, participants named contributors to and detractors from hope that included experiences driven by environmental factors. Findings were organized according to Ecological Systems Theory (EST). Participants named factors from all levels of EST, and interactions between levels were evident. These results and findings support the inclusion of relevant contextual factors in psychological inquiry, and we suggest deliberate inclusion of individuals from all socioeconomic groups in future positive psychological research.

Neurostructural correlates of hope: dispositional hope mediates the impact of the SMA gray matter volume on subjective well-being in late adolescence

There has been increasing interest in identifying factors to predict subjective well-being in the emerging field of positive psychology over the past two decades. Dispositional hope, which reflects one’s goal-directed tendencies, including both pathway thinking (planning to meet goals) and agency thinking (goal-directed determination), has emerged as a stable predictor for subjective well-being. However, the neurobiological substrates of dispositional hope and the brain-hope mechanism for predicting subjective well-being remain unclear. Here, we examined these issues in 231 high school graduates within the same grade by estimating cortical gray matter volume (GMV) utilizing a voxel-based morphometry method based on structural magnetic resonance imaging. Whole-brain regression analyses and prediction analyses showed that higher dispositional hope was stably associated with greater GMV in the left supplementary motor area (SMA). Furthermore, mediation analyses revealed that dispositional hope mediated the relation between left SMA volume and subjective well-being. Critically, our results were obtained after adjusting for age, sex, family socioeconomic status and total GMV. Altogether, our study presents novel evidence for the neuroanatomical basis of dispositional hope and suggests an underlying indirect effect of dispositional hope on the link between brain gray matter structure and subjective well-being.

Examining the longitudinal effects and potential mechanisms of hope on COVID-19 stress, anxiety, and well-being

Hope is a cognitive trait that predicts both resilience to and recovery from anxiety and stress-related disorders. The present study examines the prospective associations of hope with subsequent anxiety, stress, and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. Perceived emotional control, a transdiagnostic vulnerability factor, was also examined as a potential mediator of these relationships. American adults (N = 822) were recruited during the COVID-19 pandemic using Amazon mTURK and structural equation modeling was used to examine how trait hope predicted outcomes approximately one month later. Higher hope was associated with greater well-being and perceived emotional control, as well as lower levels of anxiety and COVID-19 perceived stress. Results also indicated an indirect effect of hope with all outcomes via perceived emotional control. These findings suggest that hope may associated with resilience to the chronic stressors associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Children's Hope in South Africa: A Population-Based Study

A growing body of research has provided evidence for the cognitive motivational construct of hope as a psychological strength, particularly for children in adverse social circumstances. In children, hope is defined as a set of cognitions focused on children's agency to contemplate workable goals, to identify pathways to achieve those goals and the intrinsic beliefs about their capacity to activate sustained movement toward those goals. Using data from the third wave of the Children's Worlds International Survey on Children's Well-Being, the study aimed to explore children's hope amongst a random population-based sample of children in South Africa. The study further aimed to explore children's level of hope across the nine provincial regions of South Africa. Data were collected using Snyder et al.'s (1997) Children's Hope Scale (CHS). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to analyze the data, with multi-group CFA used to analyze the data across provincial regions. The study found an appropriate fit structure for the CHS using the overall pooled sample. The mean score on the CHS for the national sample was of 4.781 (SD = 1.082). Measurement invariance demonstrated the tenability of scalar invariance, which indicates comparability across correlations, regressions and mean scores. Mean scores ranged from 4.511 (SD = 1.163) for the Northern Cape to 4.982. (SD = 0.974) for the Western Cape. Five provinces (Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu Natal) scored below the national mean, while four provinces (North West, Western Cape, Limpopo, and Gauteng) scored above.

Searching for the HERO in Youth: Does Psychological Capital (PsyCap) Predict Mental Health Symptoms and Subjective Wellbeing in Australian School-Aged Children and Adolescents?

Psychological capital (PsyCap) comprising the positive psychological resources of hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism (HERO) has strong empirical associations with increased wellbeing and reduced mental health symptoms in adult samples. Emerging studies of PsyCap among school-age students have also shown preliminary, positive associations between PsyCap and student wellbeing. The present study is the first to examine PsyCap-HERO constructs and associations with both mental health symptoms and subjective wellbeing in school-aged children and adolescents (aged 9-14 years). A convenience sample of Australian school students (N = 456, Mage = 11.54, SD = 1.20, 47% female) completed an online survey during class time. Measures of hope, efficacy, resilience, optimism, flourishing, anxiety, and depression previously well-validated in school samples were used. Significant associations between each HERO construct and flourishing, anxiety and depression symptoms in the expected direction were found, and importantly, the combination of HERO constructs was shown to be a stronger predictor of increased levels of student flourishing, and decreased levels of anxiety and depression symptoms, than individual HERO constructs. Findings indicate that student PsyCap may be a promising area of further investigation for schools, policymakers, clinicians and researchers looking to identify positive psychological resources in youth that may buffer poor mental health and promote wellbeing.

Resilient, recovering, distressed: A longitudinal qualitative study of parent psychosocial trajectories following child critical injury

INTRODUCTION

The psychological distress and risk of mental health problems for parents of children with critical injury is well-established. There has been little exploration, however, of parent experiences and psychosocial trajectories over time following child critical injury. To address this knowledge gap, a longitudinal qualitative study was conducted to explore parent experiences and support needs and identify parent psychosocial trajectories in the 12 months following child critical injury.

METHODS

Semi- structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 27 parents at three time points over a 12 month period: the immediate hospital period post-child injury, and 6 and 12 months following injury, resulting in a total of 81 interviews. Data were analysed using a longitudinal within and across-case thematic analysis of patterns emerging over time.

FINDINGS

Three parent trajectory patterns were identified: resilient trajectory where parents were temporarily disrupted by the child's injury and hospitalisation, but recovered their mental and emotional wellbeing quickly, which was maintained over time; recovering trajectory where parents were initially disrupted at the time of injury but their mental and emotional wellbeing fluctuated over time and had not been fully restored by 12 months; and distressed trajectory where parents experienced significant psychosocial disruption due to their child's injury and struggled to adapt and regain their wellbeing over time, remaining emotionally distressed about the circumstances and impacts of the injury on their child and family. Illustrative narratives that represent each trajectory are presented.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first qualitative study to report the psychosocial trajectories of parents of critically injured children. Clinical application of insights provided by these trajectories can assist clinicians to use targeted strategies to help strengthen parental adaptation and prevent adverse mental health outcomes, and address families' psychosocial support needs following child injury. Screening for parent psychological distress and post-traumatic stress disorder is needed from the time of the child's admission, and a dedicated trauma support role can facilitate an integrated care approach for children and families with complex needs across the care continuum.

A predictive model of resilience among family caregivers supporting relatives with traumatic brain injury (TBI): A structural equation modelling approach

Constructs from positive psychology were employed to create an explicit model of caregiver resilience. Predictive and mediating relationships among resilience and related variables (personality, coping, self-efficacy, hope, social support) were then tested for their association with burden and psychological adjustment among family members caring for relatives with severe TBI. Family participants (n = 131) from six rehabilitation units from New South Wales and Queensland completed assessments which elicited explanatory (Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Ways of Coping Questionnaire), mediating (Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Herth Hope Scale, Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey), and caregiver outcome (Caregiver Burden Scale, Mental Health sub-Scale-SF36, General Health Questionnaire, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale) variables. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) showed that resilience had a direct effect on positive affect in caregivers. Resilience also played a protective role in relation to two variables associated with caregiver vulnerability: an indirect association with caregiver burden mediated through social support; a direct effect on hope, which, in turn, was associated with positive mental health. Positive mental health then played a buffering role in relation to psychological distress and negative affect. Resilience, in combination with other psychological attributes, was associated with reduced morbidity among family caregivers after severe TBI.

Cultural values, coping, and hope in Yup'ik communities facing rapid cultural change

Historical trauma and rapid cultural change contribute to a high burden of stress in Alaska Native communities. The goal of the Yup'ik Experiences of Stress and Coping Project was to better understand stress and coping in Yup'ik communities and the role of cultural values and practices in coping. Sixty Yup'ik adults aged 18-84 years took part in semistructured interviews. They discussed how they coped with salient stressful experiences and shared the things that bought them hope and peace. Interview themes were identified and inter-relationships between themes were explored through social network analysis. Participants discussed the importance of cultural traditions in coping, including subsistence, dancing and drumming, intergenerational transmission of knowledge, and reflective awareness of interconnections with others. Participants found strength in family relationships, spirituality, helping others, and coming together as a community. Three coping clusters emerged: Ilaliurucaraq (be welcoming) involved opening one's frame of mind and building connections; Yuuyaraq (Yup'ik way of life) focused on Yup'ik traditions and values; and Assircaarturluni Yuuyaraq (try to live a better life) involved healing from historical trauma. Findings illustrate the resilience and evolving strengths of rural Yup'ik communities facing a continually changing cultural landscape and provide information for developing community-driven culturally based interventions.

Why We Should Empty Pandora’s Box to Create a Sustainable Future: Hope, Sustainability and Its Implications for Education

(1) Hope and optimism are strongly connected to physical and psychological health and have been much researched in the field of positive psychology. Research has shown that hope is connected to pro-environmental behavior and plays an important role in ESD. (2) In order to operationalize hope and optimism, in a survey, 2564 young people and 525 teachers in Germany assessed the probability and desirability of predefined future scenarios. (3) Only every fourth respondent is optimistic regarding the global future. The biggest discrepancy between expectation and desirability exists with regard to climate change. Latent class analysis revealed four classes, whereby 50% of the participants are “sustainability-affine but disillusioned”. This half of the sample has great potential to promote a sustainable future: For them, a positive socio-ecological future has by far the highest value. They report the strongest emotions regarding SD and want to take the most responsibility for SD. Surprisingly, they do not disclose more sustainable behavior in comparison to the other classes. (4) The low expectation of positive socio-ecological developments might be a central factor in preventing half of the sample from behaving more sustainable and indicating a strong potential for hope. The implications for Education for Sustainable Development are discussed.