Foster Hope Research Articles

Exploring Narratives on Negative Emissions Technologies in the Post-Paris Era

The 2015 Paris Agreement specified that the goal of international climate policy is to strengthen the global response to climate change by restricting the average global warming this century to “well below” 2°C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. In this context, “Negative Emissions Technologies” (NETs)—technologies that remove additional greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the atmosphere—are receiving greater political attention. They are introduced as a backstop method for achieving temperature targets. A focal point in the discussions on NETs are the emission and mitigation pathways assessed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Drawing on perspectives from Science & Technology Studies (STS) and discourse analysis, the paper explores the emergence of narratives about NETs and reconstructs how the treatment of NETs within IPCC assessments became politicized terrain of configuration for essentially conflicting interests concerning long-term developments in the post-Paris regime. NETs are—critics claim—not the silver bullet solution to finally fix the climate, they are a Trojan horse; serving to delay decarbonization efforts by offering apparent climate solutions that allow GHGs emissions to continue and foster misplaced hope in future GHG removal technologies. In order to explore the emerging controversies, we conduct a literature review to identify NETs narratives in the scientific literature. Based on this, we reevaluate expert interviews to reconstruct narratives emerging from German environmental non-governmental organizations (eNGOs). We find a spectrum of narratives on NETs in the literature review and the eNGO interviews. The most prominent stories within this spectrum frame NETs either as a moral hazard or as a matter of necessity to achieve temperature targets.

The Deification of Black Consciousness as an Alternative Ideology in Simphiwe Dana’s “Bantu Biko Street”

In the context of gender-based violence and xenophobia (black on black violence), the question is being asked whether black people hate themselves. Scholars have sought explanations for these social ills in socio-economic challenges that are a legacy of apartheid. These challenges have continued in the post-apartheid era. One cultural site in which poverty and violence have been reflected is the song “Bantu Biko Street” by Simphiwe Dana. The singer invokes Bantu Biko’s philosophy of Black Consciousness as a possible solution. This article closely reads this song and argues that the current government fails to deliver its material promises. The article also depicts Black Consciousness as a possible alternative ideology to foster black pride, hope and communal sharing.

"When Will I Feel Normal?": Disorienting Grief Responses Among Young Adults With Advanced Cancer.

The diagnosis of an advanced cancer during young adulthood frequently entails the loss of confidence in physical function, as well as the certainty of achieving future social, vocational, and existential aspirations. These losses leave young adults with tenuous holds on facets of their life that foster hope and meaning. The aim of this study was to explore the unique physical and psychosocial-spiritual losses and patterns of grief responses among young adults living with advanced cancer. Theoretical sampling led to the recruitment of 13 young adults, ages 23 to 38 years, diagnosed with stage III or IV cancer. Participants completed 1 semistructured interview, a timeline of pivotal moments throughout their illness, and a sociodemographic survey. Glaser's grounded theory methods informed the study design and analysis. Young adults displayed patterns of disorienting grief, which left them bereft of almost all familiar facets of their pretrauma lives and identities. Disorienting physical and psychosocial-spiritual losses presented in the following subcategories: disorientation to all aspects of former life, lost identity, and isolation. Findings from this study reveal a novel framework from which to interpret grief experiences among young adults living with advanced cancer. The implementation of grief assessments and interventions during pivotal stages in young adults' cancer treatment and recovery may ameliorate psychological distress and normalize perceptions of life disruptions. Nursing education before treatment initiation and termination can reduce young adults' fears surrounding unfamiliar symptoms and prepare them for the physical and emotional uncertainties that often accompany remission or end-of-life.

Social Support and Hope Mediate the Relationship Between Gratitude and Depression Among Front-Line Medical Staff During the Pandemic of COVID-19.

BackgroundThe pandemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has burdened an unprecedented psychological stress on the front-line medical staff, who are at high risk of depression. While existing studies and theories suggest that factors such as gratitude, social support, and hope play a role in the risk of depression, few studies have combined these factors to explore the relationship between them.ObjectiveThis study examined the mediating roles of social support and hope in the relationship between gratitude and depression among front-line medical staff during the pandemic of COVID-19.MethodsThis study used the Gratitude Questionnaire, the Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), the State Hope Scale (SHS), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale to examine the gratitude, social support, hope, and depression among 344 front-line medical workers in Wuhan, which was the hardest-hit area of COVID-19 in China.ResultsThe results showed that the prevalence of mild depressive disorder was 40.12% and the prevalence of major depressive disorder was 9.59% among front-line medical staff during the pandemic of COVID-19; gratitude has a direct and negative effect on depression. Gratitude was negative predictors of depression through the mediating variables of social support and hope [βgratitude–social support–depression = −0.096, 95%CI(−0.129 to −0.064); βgratitude–hope–depression = −0.034, 95%CI(−0.055 to −0.013)], as well as via an indirect path from social support to hope [βgratitude–social support–hope–depression = −0.089, 95%CI (−0.108 to −0.070)].ConclusionThe study findings indicate that gratitude as a positive emotion can reduce depression in medical staff by promoting social support and hope, respectively. Gratitude also reduced depression in health care workers through a chain mediating effect of social support and hope. Overall, gratitude can directly foster social support and hope, and protect people from stress and depression, which has implications for clinical interventions among front-line medical staff during the pandemic of COVID-19.

Understanding Parents' Experiences When Caring for a Child With Functional Constipation: Interpretive Description Study.

BackgroundPediatric functional constipation (FC) is a common but serious medical condition. Despite significant effects on children, families, and the health care system, the condition is typically undertreated. Parents carry the primary responsibility for complex treatment programs; therefore, understanding their experiences and needs may offer a critical perspective toward improving clinical care.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to understand and give voice to parents’ experiences and information needs when caring for a child with FC. The ultimate objective is to build an evidence base suitable for creating a digital knowledge translation tool to better support parents caring for a child with FC.MethodsThis qualitative design used an interpretive description methodology to generate findings aimed at improving clinical care. One-on-one, in-depth interviews were completed either in person or through web-based teleconferencing to explore parents’ perspectives. Data collection and analysis occurred concurrently.ResultsAnalysis of 16 interviews generated 4 major themes: living in the shadows; not taken seriously, with a subtheme of persevering and advocating; missing information and misinformation; and self-doubt and strained relationships. One minor theme of affirmative influences that foster resilience and hope was identified.ConclusionsParents have unmet needs for support and information related to pediatric FC. To address gaps in current care provision, decision makers may consider interventions for clinicians, resources for parents, and shifting care models to better meet parents’ needs.

Loneliness in older people: Spiritual practices as an alternative pathway to action, a treatise from India

Loneliness is an abstract construct defined in multiple ways. It is a feeling of disconnectedness, emotional isolation, and subjective feeling of lacking social relationships. Research shows loneliness to be common in older people, which, in turn, is a potent risk factor for various physical and psychosocial health conditions. Chronic loneliness is a predisposing factor for suicide, worsens cognitive outcomes, and impairs quality of living. Conventionally, aging is associated with “loss of vitality” and the “desperate need to retain older abilities.” In contrast to these concepts, eastern views center around acceptance, “letting go” and aging with a greater sense of purpose. Traversing loneliness with self-esteem is viewed over a consistent resistance against loneliness. Self-acceptance, wisdom, and understanding the processes of emotional aging can foster hope and resilience which help navigate the inevitable loneliness that may arise in old age due to a multitude of factors. Spirituality has various intersections with mental well-being, however, it is often considered to be an esoteric concept. In this paper, we provide an Indian understanding of accepting and dealing with loneliness through the daily implementation of spiritual practices in life as well as mental health interventions. The four ashramas of Hinduism are discussed with special relevance to Vanaprastha Ashrama (forest-dweller), which signifies renunciation and acceptance associated with aging. The actionable areas with respect to spirituality and its philosophical underpinnings in mitigating loneliness in older people are also highlighted.

Promoting quality of life and recovery in adults with mental health issues using exercise and nutrition intervention

Background Interventions that promote exercise and a healthy diet can improve quality of life and may promote recovery for people with mental health issues. The aim of this study was to evaluate a community-based lifestyle program for adults with mental health issues to inform the design of such interventions, and assess its impact on quality of life and recovery. Methods Mixed methods were used to evaluate 8-week interventions involving weekly group gym-based exercise sessions and nutritional education. Programs were delivered by personal trainers and chefs at a charitable community organization. Acceptability was evaluated using qualitative focus groups and procedural statistics (rates of referral, attendance, and withdrawal). Primary outcomes were quality of life and recovery assessed at baseline and post-intervention; other outcomes included metabolic indicators (weight, waist, blood pressure and fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides) and functional capacity (walk test). Results Of the 100 adults referred, 58 began the program and 38 (66%) completed, attending a median of 75% of sessions. Participants indicated that their appraisal of the program environment (related to venue, social group, and staff), and the realization of benefits, were essential to their experiences with the program. Quality of life (mental health, coping, relationships, senses and self-worth), and recovery (hope) significantly improved. Conclusion Exercise and nutrition interventions have diverse benefits for quality of life and recovery. Programs should be implemented within contexts that promote positive experiences and inclusive social environments to foster self-worth, personal confidence and hope. Recovery-oriented lifestyle interventions should be utilized routinely in mental health care.

Narrative discourse of burn injury and recovery on peer support websites: A qualitative analysis

Although advances have been made in burn care and recovery, less is known about the experience of living with severe burn injury. Like other patient groups, burn survivors are now turning to social media and shared web-based peer support resources during recovery and continuing long after discharge. Ongoing peer support is often part of the reclamation process after-burn injury. Peer support and event sharing helps foster hope, motivation and reassurance. ObjectivesTo: 1) Examine and further understand the narrative discourse of burn survivorship in peer support social media content, 2) establish commonalities in the sharing community and key themes related to recovery and adaptation. MethodsThis qualitative enquiry began with a comprehensive overview of burn narratives on survivor peer generated websites. We conducted a purposeful sampling of 21 biographies posted on burn survivor peer and patient support websites. Participants with greater than 30% burn injury were included that provided narrative and discourse regarding burn recovery and survivorship. Underlying story arcs, meaning behind sentences and shared language of the experience were investigated using thematic analysis. ResultsFour themes were identified: retelling of the traumatic event; social support; body image, the new normal; and rebirth and transformation. Accounts reflected the traumatic nature of the event with slowed downtime, attention to details and heightened recall. The value of peer and family support was a common theme. There was attention to the challenges related to changed body image and regaining confidence in body appearance. Most stories also documented transitioning and rebirth and other more positive aspects of trauma recovery. ConclusionsAccounting the burn experience and recovery is part of the reclamation process. Biographies document the trauma recovery process. Storying the event is an integral component of burn survivor community content. These online communities have become a mainstream resource and part of the reclamation process.

Middle school students’ academic motivation in Turkey: Levels of perfectionism and self-efficacy

The purpose of the current study was to understand to what extent Turkish middle school students’ self-efficacy and perfectionism scores explained their academic motivation. Findings from this study have potential to influence counseling interventions, education, and future research. First, findings show that perceptions of self-oriented perfectionism were associated with lower levels of amotivation, lower levels of extrinsic motivation, and higher levels of intrinsic motivation. Findings also suggest that perceptions of socially prescribed perfectionism did not have a relationship with amotivation and had a negative relationship with extrinsic motivation as well as a positive relationship with intrinsic motivation. Finally, self-efficacy continues to be an important factor in outcomes among middle school students and extends previous findings that self-efficacy has been related with students’ resilience, achievement, and perseverance of effort. Based on this study’s findings, we provide implications for practitioners and researchers. One way to increase students’ self-efficacy is to foster hope for the future. Narrative therapy is another way to help students increase their levels of self-oriented perfectionism.

Experience of hope: An exploratory research with bereaved mothers following perinatal death

ProblemThe negative implications of perinatal death on mothers’ mental health are documented, however little is known about their experience of hope. BackgroundWithin the broader literature, hope has contributed to better mental health and bereavement adjustment and often bereaved mothers report the importance of hope for the grieving process. AimThis study aims to explore bereaved mothers’ experience of hope following perinatal death. MethodsIndividual interviews were conducted with 33 mothers having experienced the death of an infant in the perinatal period. Data from the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. FindingsThe mothers’ experience of hope following perinatal loss is organized into three themes: Hope disrupted by perinatal loss; Transformed hope: a new pregnancy challenged by the sense of foreboding of another loss; and Ways to restore and foster hope in life. DiscussionAlthough hope has been a motivating force for mothers to reconnect with their life plan and move on after a loss, it is also negatively affected by the experience of perinatal bereavement, social support, and health professionals’ clinical practice. ConclusionBereaved mothers have reported a disruption in their experience of hope. While some experience a loss of hope or a sense of hopelessness, others experience a transformation and restoration of hope, which is reinvested in the grieving process. Mothers’ experience of hope highlights the need for the support of a healthcare professional and may contribute to enhanced clinical practice through the promotion of bereavement care, considering the aspects that instil, maintain, and interfere with hope.

The Role of C-L Psychiatrists in Assessing Suicide

The Role of C-L Psychiatrists in Assessing Suicide

41 Fostering Hope: The Comprehensive Accessible care for Infants with Neonatal abstinence (CAIN) Study

Abstract Introduction/Background Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) occurs in newborns exposed to drugs in-utero. In Canada, maternal opiate use in pregnancy has been steadily rising resulting in as many as 1850 babies born with NAS per year. Management of babies born with NAS requires supportive, interdisciplinary care. Depending on the severity of NAS, babies may be cared for with non-pharmacological interventions or some may need to be admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for extended hospital stays to receive medication and management of ongoing complex health care needs. Hospital and community health care providers have expressed concerns around the continuity of care for these babies in their stay in hospital and their transition to home. Objectives This study examined the experiences of hospital and community-based health care providers and families regarding the management of babies with NAS. The driving force behind our inquiry related to our interest in streamlining care for these babies in highly complex health and social systems. Design/Methods In total, 47 interdisciplinary participants were interviewed over a four-month period with individuals from Women’s and Child Health, Community, and family members. Interviewed transcripts were reviewed over several months and were completed in December 2019 using an inductive thematic analysis which culminated in the identification of an overarching theme linked with primary themes. ​ Results The study identified existing gaps in the management of these patients, determined how to improve communication between hospital and community networks, and provided a better understanding of the attitudes, perceptions and experiences of hospital and community personnel. The overarching theme identified was hope, with the primary themes being: system, mental health, mother/baby, judgement, and knowledge (see Figure 1). Several gaps identified in the system included fear, stigma, and language. Certain solutions proposed for improvement included focused care in a rooming in model for the mother and baby dyad, supporting mothers’ well-being, involving mothers and families, and supporting care providers in a family centered care model. In Figure 1, green lines indicate themes that are linked with and support hope, and red lines indicate themes that are barriers to hope. Conclusion This research demonstrates that programs and interventions implemented when working with mothers and babies with NAS must foster hope in mothers, families, and in the extended care provider team.

Hope in Palliative Care: A Thematic Analysis

Background: Hope is a positive coping mechanism that is important at all stages of illness, more so for palliative care patients. Objective: To explore the experiences of hope of palliative care patients. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted at University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Adult palliative care in-patients were recruited and interviewed with semi structured questions on hope. Transcripts from the interviews were thematically analyzed with qualitative data management software NVIVO. Results: 20 palliative care patients participated in the study. The themes generated from thematic analysis were (1) The notions of hope, (2) The sources and barriers of hope and (3) The contents of hope. Conclusion: Hope is an ever-present source of energy that gives people strength to carry on even in the most adverse situations. Understanding hope from the palliative care perspective may allow healthcare providers to develop strategies to better foster hope in the terminally ill.

Hope After TBI Begins with Rehabilitation.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of long-term disability in the United States. Persons with TBI can experience numerous alterations in functional status, self-care ability, and cognitive, emotional, and social functioning. Understanding TBI features, treatment, and rehabilitation is imperative for nurses in every setting. Trauma, intensive and acute care, and rehabilitation nurses are an essential part of the interprofessional team that promotes optimum outcomes through specific interventions to foster hope for TBI patients and families.

Sacred, Revolutionary Teaching: Encountering Sacred Difference and Honest Hope

Sacred teaching takes many forms across religious traditions, focusing on creation and sacramentality in Christianity, God’s nature and creation of human beings in Judaism, and spiritual and social practices in both. At the heart of Jewish, Muslim, and Christian traditions are accents on the sacredness of life, creation in the image of God, and human dignity. This essay analyzes the three traditions to discover textures of sacrality and practices of sacred teaching and learning. Can such teaching be revolutionary in divided contexts? The paper proposes an approach to sacred, revolutionary teaching to foster compassion, openness, humility, and hope.

761 Comparisons of Peer Supporters and Burn Patient’s Satisfaction with Peer Support Encounters

Abstract Introduction Offering peer support to burn patients throughout the recovery process provides a sense of belonging and shared experiences that foster hope. Peer support connects survivors and their families and has been shown to have a positive impact for patients in inpatient and outpatient settings. Data is limited on the effects of providing support from both supporter and patient viewpoints, which setting is preferred, and if multiple visits are more beneficial than a single visit. Methods Satisfaction surveys were offered to all supporters and patients after each visit over an 11-year period (2007–17). Survey participation was voluntary and anonymous. Both supporter and patient surveys were scored on a 7-point Likert scale with five and six questions, respectively. Scores were compiled and reported as means with standard deviations. Comparisons were made between inpatient vs outpatient visits and single vs multiple visits. Data were analyzed by student’s t-test with significance defined as p < 0.5. Results There were 132 surveys collected from peer supporters (109 inpatient, 23 outpatient) and from 67 patients. Satisfaction for supporters and patients were consistently high in both settings (Table 1). Supporters’ desire to visit again were higher for the outpatient setting (p=0.03). There were no significant differences for supporters in single vs multiple inpatient visits. For patients, the lowest mean satisfaction score occurred in the single outpatient visit (5.77 ± 1.83). Comparing patients who had single vs multiple inpatient visits, mean scores for all questions except “questions answered” were higher for the latter though statistical significance was found only for “visit again” (p=0.01) and “good listener” (p=0.03). Conclusions Satisfaction overall is very high for peer support visits. However, burn patients preferred multiple visits in the inpatient setting while peer supporters preferred the outpatient setting. Applicability of Research to Practice More qualitative research is needed to explore why peer supporters may feel more comfortable in the outpatient setting and why patients appear to prefer multiple inpatient visits. Overall, patients are satisfied even with single visits from peer supporters.

Practice and Evaluation of an Education Session for Fostering Hope for the Future in Children by Designing Wind Turbines

We conducted an education session that included designing wind turbines with an aim to foster hope for the future in children. The session was held with 134 elementary school students in the fourth grade. The contents of the educational program were: (1) a lecture on issues regarding energy and the environment, (2) designing and making new types of wind turbines constructed out of thick paper, (3) conducting experiments to evaluate their power generation capability (i.e., the activity was first carried out individually, and then in groups of three or four), (4) analyzing experimental data and presenting the results to the participants in groups, and (5) a lecture on the characteristics of wind turbines, disadvantages of renewable energy, and the energy mix of power sources. According to the questionnaire-based survey, more than 90% of the participants enjoyed designing and making the wind turbines, conducting experiments, analyzing the experimental data, and were motivated to continue to create more efficient wind turbines. However, the percentage of participants who were satisfied with the experimental results and their own presentations was less than 80%, and 60% felt that there is a possibility that the issue pertaining to energy and the environment can be solved. According to the results of the structural equation modeling, participants who were satisfied with the experimental results of the power generated by the wind turbines that they had created were inspired by the successful results of other groups. Additionally, these participants felt that the issues pertaining to energy and the environment can be solved. We conclude that to foster hope for the future in children through inquiry-based learning, it is necessary to give them sufficient time or set a target to achieve success so that they can satisfy themselves.

Dimensions of hope in adolescence: Relations to academic functioning and well‐being

AbstractHope—a multidimensional positive motivational state—is particularly salient with adolescents in the school setting. Cognitive hope focuses on goal attainment cognitions whereas behavioral hope focuses on actions required for goal attainment. Studies rarely examine the contribution of each type of hope to adolescents’ academic functioning and well‐being. The present study examines the contributions of cognitive and behavioral hope to academic functioning (i.e., achievement and school engagement) and well‐being (i.e., stress and anxiousness) across adolescence among 5th‐ through 12th‐grade students (n = 643). When modeled concurrently, cognitive hope significantly predicted achievement, school engagement, anxiousness, and stress (high school only); however, aspects of behavioral hope only predicted school engagement. Findings provide evidence regarding the unique contribution of both types of hope in school settings and possible areas for intervention to foster hope in developmentally appropriate ways, depending on the age of the students and outcomes of interest.

Narrative Identity Reconstruction as Adaptive Growth During Mental Health Recovery: A Narrative Coaching Boardgame Approach.

ObjectiveThe purpose of this paper is to construct a conceptual framework for investigating the reconstruction of narrative identity in mental health recovery from a complexity perspective. This conceptual framework provides the foundation for developing a health boardgame to facilitate narrative identity reconstruction.MethodsA selective integrative review of the theoretical and empirical literature relevant to narrative identity reconstruction in recovery was conducted. Sources included books, dissertations, internet resources, and professional journals.FindingsThe reviewed material provides a conceptual framework that offers an enriched understanding of narrative identity reconstruction in recovery as a process of adaptive growth. It identifies the Hero’s Journey, the life story model of identity (LSMI), and intentional change theory (ITC) as particularly relevant in informing strategies for narrative identity reconstruction. The conceptual framework can be operationalized in a narrative coaching treatment approach using a boardgame.Conclusion and Implications for PracticeIn practice, mental health professionals could use the narrative coaching boardgame to facilitate people’s adaptive change with a focus on building skills to reconstruct their preferred narrative identity and foster hope. Future research should explore what aspects of narrative identity and non-linear dynamic processes of change are most important in people’s recovery narratives and in particular these processes can be assessed in response to the use of the boardgame.

Hook vs. hope: How to enhance customer engagement through gamification

Many digital service providers have adopted gamification to promote customer engagement. Critical questions, however, remain about the most effective way to enhance customer engagement and increase sales by applying gamification. With a research design that combines qualitative and quantitative methods, including the use of objective sales data from a large field study and replication of the findings across different contexts, this study explores how gamification fosters customer engagement. Both field study results and a simulation study reveal gamification principles (i.e., social interaction, sense of control, goals, progress tracking, rewards, and prompts) that promote hope and consequently increase customer engagement and digital sales. Furthermore, we find that hope is more strongly associated with customer engagement than the psychological condition of compulsion, which even exerts a negative impact. This research thus explores how gamification creates value for customers and provides actionable insights for managers to foster hope through gamification as opposed to get customers hooked.