Understanding Hope from Indian Young Adults’ Perspective

Abstract

Despite the long-understood importance of Hope in the lives of individuals, few studies have investigated how Hope is understood from an Indian perspective. Furthermore, the focus on understanding the interpretations and experiences of Hope in the young adult population has been low. The current paper explores the phenomenon of Hope from Indian young adults’ perspective. The sample consisted of 10 participants, who were in the age range of 21 to 22 years and were pursuing their undergraduate or postgraduate studies. The study utilized in-depth interviews to understand the experiences and perspectives of Hope in the participants. Data were analyzed through Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) which brought forward several themes which focused on the experiences and understanding of Hope, delineating the main features of Hope, its situations, and its cognitive, affective, and behavioral consequences. The study adds literature to the Indian understanding of Hope or conceptualizing Hope from an Indian context and provides an in-depth understanding of the construct. It gives valuable insights into how Hope can be used for stress management and promoting well-being in individuals.