Higher Hope Scores Research Articles

Religiosity and Family Functioning as Predictors of Hope and Resilience during the COVID-19 Pandemic among African American and Latinx College Students with Asthma

Being resilient and hopeful in the face of adversity can promote health and academic outcomes. We sought to determine whether religiosity and family functioning pre-pandemic predicted resilience and hope during the pandemic in a sample of 105 African American and Latinx college students with asthma (Mage = 19.09 years, SD = 1.01). Participants completed an online survey prior to the pandemic and one during the pandemic. In simple regressions, controlling for age, race/ethnicity, gender, and asthma control, greater religious commitment, better family functioning, and less COVID-19 impact were associated with higher resilience scores. Only greater religious commitment was associated with higher hope scores. In a hierarchical regression predicting resilience from all variables, religiosity and family functioning were associated with resilience above and beyond COVID-19 impact and covariates. Findings highlight the importance of family functioning and religiosity—two cultural factors that are salient in African American and Latinx communities—in resiliency and hope.

Hope and depression among pandemic graduates

ABSTRACT This mixed method study examined hope and depression among pandemic graduates using Locus of Hope Theory. Phase one examined the relationship of internal and external locus of hope dimensions on the depressive symptoms of 101 pandemic graduates through an online survey. Analysis revealed that 66.3% of the sample had moderate to severe levels of depression. Among the four dimensions, only internal hope was significantly associated with depression. Phase two involved 12 participants screened to have high hope scores. They were asked to participate in focus group discussions regarding their sources of hope. Despite the non-significant relationship between external loci of hope and depression in phase one, responses in the qualitative phase provided evidence for external sources of hope (family, peers, and spiritual being) during the pandemic. Practical implications are discussed.

Is hope associated with HIV-acquisition risk and intimate partner violence amongst young women and men? A cross-sectional study in urban informal settlements in South Africa

ABSTRACT Hope is a concept that may mediate between the structural constraints people live under and their HIV-acquisition risk behaviours/experiences. Drawing on data collected as the baseline for an intervention trial between September 2015 and September 2016, among young (18–30-year-old), out-of-school women and men in urban informal settlements in Durban, South Africa, we assess whether hope, assessed by the Snyder Hope Scale, is associated with HIV-risk behaviours/experiences. 677 women (35.5%; 33.7%; 30.9%; low, medium, and high hope scores respectively) and 668 men (40.6%; 32.8%; 26.7%; low, medium, and high hope scores respectively) were included. Among women, adjusted analyses showed high levels of hope, compared to low levels, were associated with greater modern contraceptive use (aOR1.57, 1.04–2.37). For men, medium or high levels of hope, compared to low levels, were associated with reduced physical and/or sexual IPV perpetration (med: aOR0.55, 0.38–0.81, high: 0.38, 0.25–0.57), emotional IPV perpetration (med: aOR0.54, 0.36–0.80, high: aOR0.62, 0.41–0.94) and transactional sex (med: 0.57, 0.38–0.84, high: aOR0.57, 0.39–0.86) respectively. For men, hope potentially captured a pathway between an individual’s structural context and their HIV-risk behaviour. Yet this was not the case for women. It may be the Snyder Hope Scale does not adequately capture localised meanings of hope.

Patient-reported hope, quality of life (QOL), symptom burden, and coping mechanisms in early phase clinical trial participants.

12114 Background: Early phase clinical trials (EP-CTs) investigate novel treatment options in oncology, with recent advances in personalized therapy leading to improved outcomes and offering hope to patients with cancer. However, little research has sought to understand associations of patient-reported hope with QOL, symptom burden, and coping mechanisms in EP-CT participants. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive adults with cancer participating in EP-CTs at Massachusetts General Hospital from 04/2021-01/2022. Participants completed baseline surveys prior to treatment initiation that assessed hope (Herth Hope Index [HHI], higher scores indicate greater hope), QOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General), symptom burden (physical: Edmonton Symptom Assessment System [ESAS]; psychological: Patient Health Questionaire-4 [PHQ4]), and coping mechanisms (Brief COPE). We used independent samples t-test to test for mean differences between groups and regression models to explore associations of hope with patient characteristics as well as patient-reported QOL, symptom burden, and coping mechanisms. Results: Of 92 eligible patients, we enrolled 85 (enrollment rate 92.4%, median age = 61.4 years [range 54.7-68.9]; 56.5% female, and 95.3% metastatic cancer). Most common cancer types were gastrointestinal (41.2%), breast (21.2%), lung (7.1%), and gynecologic (7.1%). Patients had an average HHI score of 28.2 (range 12.0-36.0), with 32.9% reporting high levels of hope. We found that married patients had higher mean hope score compared with non-married patients (28.9 versus 26.1, p = 0.024), those with children had higher mean hope scores than those without (28.9 versus 25.9, p = 0.013), and those who had received 3 or more lines of prior therapy compared with 1-2 (29.3 versus 27.2, p = 0.045) had higher hope scores. We also found associations of hope with patients’ QOL (B = 0.24, p < 0.001), symptom burden (ESAS-physical: B = -0.13, p = 0.001; PHQ4-depression: B = -2.26 p = < 0.001; PHQ4-anxiety: B = -0.94, p = 0.008), and coping (self-blame [B = -1.39, p = 0.003]; acceptance [B = 1.23, p = 0.002], denial [B = -1.09, p = 0.009], support [B = 1.06, p = 0.002], active [B = 0.73. p = 0.034], disengage [B = -3.24, p < 0.001]). Conclusions: In this prospective cohort study, we demonstrated that a substantial proportion of EP-CT participants had high baseline hope, and we identified several patient factors associated with their hope scores. We also found novel associations of higher hope scores with better QOL, lower symptom burden, and more adaptive coping mechanisms. Collectively, our findings highlight the potential for patient-reported hope to represent a key factor to consider when seeking to improve outcomes in EP-CT participants.

The association between hope and quality of life in haemodialysis patients.

Hope is important for patients with end-stage renal disease receiving haemodialysis (HD) and hope is associated with quality of life (QoL). Studies examining hope among the HD population are limited and, as far as the authors know, have not been undertaken in Jordan. To examine levels of hope and QoL and to examine the association between hope and QoL in HD patients in Jordan. A cross-sectional design was used. A convenience sample of 202 patients from six different dialysis centres was recruited. The World Health Organization QOL-BREF and the Herth Hope Index were used. Moderate levels of hope (M=32.3±4.1) were reported. Respondents reported low mean scores for the physical domain of QoL (M=48.3±21.1) but not for the psychological and social relationship domains. Higher hope scores were associated with better QoL. The findings suggest a positive relationship between the level of hope and QoL in people receiving HD. Encouraging hope while caring for HD patients in clinical settings may improve their QoL. Understanding the relationship between hope and QoL may help healthcare providers to improve the quality of care for patients and their families.

Relationship between clinical work intensity, hopefulness and well-being among medical oncologists.

46 Background: Oncology providers’ well-being particularly concerns administrators, as projections suggest a shortfall in number of providers available to care for an increasing cancer survivor population. This pilot study solicited medical oncologists’ ratings on Clinical Work Intensity (CWI), well-being, and hope constructs: agency (goal-directed determination) and pathways (planning ways to meet goals), to understand relationships between clinical work intensity, hopefulness and well-being. Methods: Eleven providers (8 = MD and 3 = NP) practicing in three distinct community-based oncology sites completed the CWI measure, NASA-TLX, immediately following an office visit, for 20 separate visits. Each provider also completed one well-being index and one Adult Hope Scale that included agency and pathways subscales after the 20 visits. Lower well-being scores indicated higher well-being; higher hope scores indicated greater hopefulness. Results: Clinical work intensity positively correlates with well-being (Spearman rho = 0.16; p = 0.02). Clinical work intensity was inversely related to the total hopefulness score (Spearman rho = -0.25; p < 0.001) and Hope construct subcomponents of perceived pathway to goal achievement (Spearman rho = -0.24; p < 0.001), and determination to meet goals (agency) (Spearman rho = -0.15; p < 0.001). Favorable provider well-being was also related to agency (Spearman rho = -0.71; p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Higher provider-rated work intensity in sampled clinical encounters correlates, albeit weakly, with less favorable well-being scores. Higher CWI also correlates with lower hope scale scores. Thus, providers’ perceptions of their mental workload in clinical care are potentially related to their sense of well-being and hopefulness. Results also suggest provider determination to meet goals (agency) is also reflected in sense of well-being. These findings support further investigation using larger, more diverse samples to affirm observed relationships. Future research may also elucidate intervention targets through which to abate provider distress portending burnout. Insights gleaned from future work may inform improvements to the work life of oncology care providers.

Predicting Hope Levels of High School Students: The Role of Academic Self-Efficacy and Problem Solving

The current study presented how well academic self-efficacy, problem solving, gender, and age predict dispositional and state hope levels of high school students in Turkey. The participants were consisted of 392 high school students. Of the participants, 230 (58.7%) were girls and 162 (41.3%) were boys. Questionnaire measures of dispositional and state hope, academic self-efficacy, and problem solving were administered to the participants. Two multiple linear regression analyses were performed to examine to what extent the independent variables predict dispositional and state hope levels of participants. The results indicated that the predictors significantly accounted for 22% of the variance of dispositional hope, 25% of the variance of state hope. In both multiple linear regression models, academic self-efficacy and problem solving were significant predictors of students’ dispositional and state hope scores. Higher hope scores were significantly associated with higher academic self-efficacy beliefs and better problem solving skills. The findings were discussed in the light of the literature with some implications for school counselors and educators.

Emerging Substance Use of Teenagers With ADHD

use, especially among youth at high risk for substance use, has not been assessed??. Using data from a cross sectional survey of marginalized youth, this study sought to assess the relationship between levels of hope and substance use. Methods: The Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, the Institute for Evaluation Science in Community Health at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, and the Allegheny County Health Department collaborated to conduct this countywide, youth health behavior survey. An anonymous survey technique was implemented with youth ages 14-19. Youth were recruited, using convenience sampling, from juvenile detention centers, shelters, and residential facilities. The survey was administered using audiocomputer-assisted self-interviewing technology (ACASI). Hopewas measured using three previously validated survey questions, (ie. “I believe things will work out for me” with likert scale responses) and risk behaviors were assessed using established Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey questions about substance use. Results: 254 youth had complete data for the variables of interest. Bivariate assessments show higher cumulative hope scores in youth not using hard drugs or binge drinking (p1⁄40.02). Higher hope scores are also found in youth who have not had sex after drug or alcohol use (p1⁄40.01). Youth who do not smoke marijuana or daily tobacco also had higher hope scores than their counterparts who reported daily smoking. After adjusting for relevant demographic variables (age, race/ethnicity, parental education), we found a trend towards decreased odds for binge drinking (0.72) for every 3 point increase in the hope score (range 3 15, p1⁄40.052). Odds ratios are presented at three point increase to assess a meaningful increase in hope score. Increased hopefulness was not associated with a lower likelihood of other substance using behaviors explored in other adjusted models. Conclusions: In a sample of at risk youth, higher levels of hope were associated with a decreased likelihood of risky substance use behaviors in bivariate models. These associations did not persist in adjustedmodels, suggesting that demographic characteristics such as age may be moderating these associations. There may also be unmeasured confounders in this sample of at risk youth. Hope (as a measure of future orientation) may be a potential protective factor in promoting healthier behaviors and reducing risk among adolescents. Studies with larger samples should examine whether hope may be more salient at particular ages or for specific populations. Sources of Support: Funders included the Heinz Foundation, the Hillman Foundation, the Grable Foundation, and The Fisa Foundation.

Association of trait and specific hopes: cross sectional study on students and workers of health professions in Split, Croatia.

Introduction. Hope (hoping) is most commonly assessed as a dispositional trait and associated with quality of life, self-care agency and non-attempts of suicide. However, little research has been conducted on hoping for specific events.Materials and Methods. We distributed a survey consisting of Integrative Hope Scale (IHS) and visual analogue scales on which respondents could declare their levels (intensity) of hope for specific events, to all first year health students enrolled at the University Department of Health Studies, Split, Croatia in 2011/2012, as well as to working health professionals attending a nursing conference in April 2012.Results. A total of 161 (89.4%) students and 88 (89.8%) working health professionals returned the completed questionnaires. We found high trait hope scores of students and working health professionals (Md = 111, 95% CI [109–113] vs. Md = 115, 95% CI [112–119]; U = 5,353, P = 0.065), and weak to moderate correlations of trait and specific hopes (r = 0.18–0.48, Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient). Students and workers reported 31 different things they hoped for most in life, of which the most prevalent were being healthy and happy. There was very little agreement between participants’ reported influence of the four factors compromising the trait hope (self-confidence, ambition, optimism, and social support) on their specific hopes.Conclusions. Our findings, while strengthening the validity of hope as a trait, indicate that specific hopes of individuals are moderated by factors not captured by the IHS trait scale. Further research should explore specific hoping in detail, as well as the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing specific or generalized hoping.

Measuring hope among families impacted by cognitive impairment.

The current exploratory investigation aims to establish the reliability and validity of a hope measure, the Herth Hope Index, among families impacted by early cognitive impairment (N = 96). Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the dimensionality of the measure. Bivariate analyses were used to examine construct validity. The sample had moderately high hope scores. A two-factor structure emerged from the factor analysis, explaining 51.44% of the variance. Both factors exhibited strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alphas ranged from .83 to .86). Satisfaction with social support was positively associated with hope, supporting convergent validity. Neurocognitive status, illness insight, and depression were not associated with hope, indicating discriminant validity. Families impacted by cognitive impairment may maintain hope in the face of a potentially progressive illness, regardless of cognitive status. The Herth Hope Index can be utilized as a reliable and valid measure of hope by practitioners providing support to families impacted by cognitive impairment.

Hope of rural women caregivers of persons with advanced cancer: guilt, self-efficacy and mental health

Caring for a person with advanced disease can have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of family caregivers. This is further compounded in rural areas that have few or no palliative care services. Hope has a positive influence on the quality of life of family caregivers of persons with advanced cancer but factors influencing hope specifically in rural women caregivers of persons with advanced cancer have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing the hope of rural women caring for persons with advanced cancer, by examining the relationship of hope with demographic variables, self-efficacy, guilt, and caregiver physical and mental health. A cross-sectional prospective correlational design was used. Inclusion criteria for the study were: (a) female, (b) 18 years of age or older, (c) caring for a person diagnosed with advanced cancer, (d) home address with a rural postal code, and (e) English-speaking. Using a modified Dillman technique, surveys and an invitation to participate were mailed to 780 persons with advanced cancer living in rural areas using two western Canadian provincial cancer registries. A reminder card was sent 4 weeks later. The persons with advanced cancer were asked to give the survey to their primary caregiver to complete. Surveys included measures of hope (Herth Hope Index (HHI)), general self-efficacy (General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES)), grief (Non Death Version Revised Grief Experience Inventory (NDRGEI)), mental and physical health (Short Form Health Survey Version 2 (SF-12v2)), and demographic data such as their relationship to the person for whom the caregiver was caring. Data were entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences v19 (SPSS) and analyzed using generalized linear modeling. Significant factors (p ≤ 0.05) influencing HHI scores were GSES ( p ≤ 0.0001), NDRGEI subscale (p=0.001), and SF-12v2 mental health summary scores (p=0.002). Participants with higher GSES, lower NDRGEI, and higher SF-12v2 mental health summary scores had higher HHI scores. The SF-12v2 physical health summary mean score of 43.30 (standard deviation (SD)=4.63) was below the 25th percentile (46.53) of US population norms. The SF-12v2 mental health summary mean score of 45.24 (SD=5.98) was just above the 25th percentile of US population norms (45.13). Participants with higher hope scores had higher mental health scores, lower perceptions of loss and grief scores, and higher scores in their confidence in their ability to deal with difficult situations (self-efficacy). The significant relationships found between hope and mental health, general self-efficacy, and perceptions of guilt provide a foundation for future research and underscore the importance of hope to rural women caregivers. The low physical and mental health scores of rural women caregivers are of concern and highlight the need to support this population.

The Quality of Life of Male Spouses of Women With Breast Cancer

The quality of life of male spouses of partners with breast cancer may determine the support they are able to give their wives. Little is known about the factors associated with their quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of the quality of life of male spouses of partners with breast cancer with the following factors: (a) demographic variables of male spouses and their partners, (b) levels of hope of male spouses and their partners, (c) self-efficacy and loss and grief of male spouses, and (d) quality of life of partners with breast cancer. Six hundred surveys were mailed to women with breast cancer (stage 1-3) and their male spouses. A total of 110 surveys were completed. With the use of generalized linear modeling, participating male spouses with higher quality of life scores: (a) were older (P = .01), (b) had higher hope scores (P = .01), (c) had lower feelings of guilt scores (P < .01) (subscale of loss and grief), (d) had higher general self-efficacy scores (P < .01), and (e) had partners with breast cancer with higher quality of life scores (P < .01). Hope, self-efficacy, feelings of guilt, age, and their partners' quality of life were significantly related to quality of life of the male spouses of women with breast cancer. The findings underscore the importance of assessing for and fostering hope and self-efficacy as well as decreasing guilt in male spouses of women with breast cancer to improve their quality of life.

Hope in Newly Diagnosed Cancer Patients

ContextHope is important to cancer patients as it helps them deal with their diagnosis. Little is known about hope in newly diagnosed cancer patients. ObjectivesBased on the Transcending Possibilities conceptual model of hope, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of hope with pain, energy, and psychological and demographic characteristics in newly diagnosed adult oncology outpatients. MethodsData from 310 New Patient Assessment Forms from cancer outpatients' health records were collected. Health records from the first six months of 2009 were reviewed and data were collected on hope, energy, pain, depression, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, and demographic variables. A generalized linear modeling approach was used to study the relationship of hope scores with these variables. Hypothesized variables and variables that were significant at the P = 0.01 level from the univariate analysis were entered into the multivariate model, with hope scores as the dependent variable. ResultsHope scores were significantly negatively related to age (P = 0.02). More specifically, oncology patients who were 65 years of age or older had significantly less hope than those under the age of 65 years (P = 0.01). Gender (P = 0.009) also was a significant factor, with men having higher hope scores than women. No other variables were significant. ConclusionOlder adults comprise the majority of persons in Canada with cancer. The lower hope scores found in this age group compared with their younger counterparts underscore the importance of further research. This study provides a foundation for future research in this important area for oncology patients.

Hope against the rain: Investigating the psychometric overlap between an objective and projective measure of hope in a medical student sample

This study examined the psychometric overlap between the Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS; Snyder et al., 1991) and the Verinis, Lichtenberg & Henrich version of the D-A-P-R (Oster & Gould Crone, 2004) as an objective and projective measure of hope among a high-stress population of medical students. Results indicated that the DHS and D-A-P-R were correlated. Students with higher hope scores on the D-A-P-R also had significantly higher DHS scores in agency related beliefs. In addition to theoretical convergence, first year medical students obtained significantly lower scores on the D-A-P-R than second year students, suggesting lower hope on the projective measure. No significant differences were found by student year and the DHS. Future studies would compare the D-A-P-R and a state measure of the DHS.

Hope Modified the Association between Distress and Incidence of Self-Perceived Medical Errors among Practicing Physicians: Prospective Cohort Study

The presence of hope has been found to influence an individual's ability to cope with stressful situations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the relationship between medical errors, hope and burnout among practicing physicians using validated metrics. Prospective cohort study was conducted among hospital based physicians practicing in Japan (N = 836). Measures included the validated Burnout Scale, self-assessment of medical errors and Herth Hope Index (HHI). The main outcome measure was the frequency of self-perceived medical errors, and Poisson regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between hope and medical error. A total of 361 errors were reported in 836 physician-years. We observed a significant association between hope and self-report of medical errors. Compared with the lowest tertile category of HHI, incidence rate ratios (IRRs) of self-perceived medical errors of physicians in the highest category were 0.44 (95%CI, 0.34 to 0.58) and 0.54 (95%CI, 0.42 to 0.70) respectively, for the 2nd and 3rd tertile. In stratified analysis by hope score, among physicians with a low hope score, those who experienced higher burnout reported higher incidence of errors; physicians with high hope scores did not report high incidences of errors, even if they experienced high burnout. Self-perceived medical errors showed a strong association with physicians' hope, and hope modified the association between physicians' burnout and self-perceived medical errors.

A mixed methods study of hope, transitions, and quality of life in family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease

BackgroundSeveral research studies have reported the poor quality of life of family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, factors that influence their quality of life have not been clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the quality of life of these caregivers such as demographic variables, their transition experience, and hope. A secondary aim was to explore the transition experience of family caregivers of persons with AD.MethodsA cross-sectional triangulation data transformation model mixed method design (Quant +Qual) was utilized to address the purpose of the study. Eighty family caregivers of persons with AD completed a survey with quantitative measures [demographic variables, Herth Hope Index (HHI-hope), World Health Organization Quality of Life -BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)] and a qualitative survey about their transitions experience. The qualitative data (transition open ended- survey) was converted to quantitative data using content analysis. Variables significant at the p < 0.10 level in the univariate analysis were entered in the multivariate generalized linear model used to determine significant factors associated with quality of life.ResultsSubjects with higher hope scores (p < 0.0001) (Factor 1: temporality and future-cognitive-temporary dimension of hope) and who dealt with their transitions by actively seeking out knowledge and assistance (p = 0.02) had higher overall quality of life scores. HHI scores were associated with overall quality of life and for each of the four quality of life domains (physical psychosocial, relationships, and environment).ConclusionsHope played a significant role in the subjects' perceptions of overall quality of life as well as the 4 quality of life domains. This underscores the need to develop ways to foster hope in family caregivers. Moreover, the active engagement of families in seeking information and help, as a way to deal with their transitions, suggests encouraging this engagement is important. The findings of this study also suggest many directions for future research, such as increasing our understanding of the processes of transitions for this population.

Hope modifies the association between burnout and self-perceived medical errors among practising physicians: implications for person-centered medicine

Rationale, aims and objectives: Hope is an important resource that influences an individual’s ability to cope with stressful situations. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of medical errors with burnout and hope among practising physicians using validated metrics.Method: Participants were physicians who had already completed residency training and were working in hospital settings (N=1054). Surveys included self-assessment of medical errors and validated Burnout Scale (depersonalization [DP] and emotional exhaustion [EE]) and Herth Hope Index. Frequency of self-perceived medical errors was recorded as the principal outcome measure.Results: A total of 716 errors were reported in 1054 physician-years. We observed a significant association between the burnout EE, DP domain score and reporting an error; compared with the lowest tertile category, IRRs of self-perceived medical errors of physicians in the highest category were 1.40 (95%CI, 1.16–1.68) and 1.37 (95%CI, 1.15–1.63) respectively, for EE and DP. We did not find a significant association between the hope score and self-perceived medical errors. In stratified analysis by hope score, among physicians with a low hope score, those who experienced higher burnout reported higher incidence of errors; physicians with high hope scores did not report high incidences of errors, even if they experienced high burnout.Conclusions: Self-perceived medical errors exhibited a strong association with physicians’ personal wellbeing: burnout was strongly associated with self-perceived errors. However, this association was modified when physicians felt hope. These results have immediate implications for the practice of person-centered medicine. In order to practise PCM effectively, the health of the person of the doctor is as important as the health of the person of the patient.

Obesity, Hope, and Health: Findings from the HOPE Works Community Survey

According to hope theory, hope is defined as goal-directed thinking in which people perceive that they can find routes to desired goals and the motivation to use those routes. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships between hope and body mass index and hope and self-rated health among women completing a community survey conducted in four rural counties in eastern North Carolina. The survey was administered as part of Hope Works, a participatory, community-led intervention program to improve weight, health and hope among low-income women in rural North Carolina. Survey data from 434 women were analyzed. In multivariate models adjusting for age, race, education and income, higher hope was positively related to self-reported health (OR:0.92; 95% CI: 0.89-0.95) and negatively related to BMI (P < 0.01). These results indicated that women who reported better self-rated health also had higher hope scores and women who were heavier had lower hope scores. While these findings are exploratory, they suggest directions for further research. State-based hope is considered to be a characteristic that is malleable and open to development. Future interventions should examine the importance of hope as a construct to examine in weight loss studies. For example, programs could be designed to increase hope by focusing on goal setting and providing support, information and resources to help women work toward their goals.

Avaliação da esperança em pacientes com doença crônica e em familiares ou cuidadores

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o escore de esperança entre os três diferentes grupos e suas variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas e correlacionar esperança com essas variáveis. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo com amostra constituída por 131 indivíduos - 47 pacientes oncológicos, 40 pacientes diabéticos e 44 acompanhantes/ familiares/cuidadores - que responderam às Escalas de Esperança de Herth e de Autoestima de Rosenberg, o Inventário de Depressão de Beck, e um instrumento com dados pessoais. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença nos escores de esperança entre os grupos. A esperança correlacionou-se positivamente com autoestima e negativamente com a depressão. Para pacientes oncológicos, o escore de esperança não se relacionou a nenhuma variável clínica. Para os pacientes diabéticos, as diferentes formas de tratamento e outras comorbidades não influenciaram na esperança. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes com doença crônica e seus familiares apresentaram escores altos de esperança. A mensuração da esperança pode melhorar o cuidado de enfermagem.

The Role of Hope in Engaging in Healthy Behaviors Among College Students

To examine hope in relation to alcohol use, binge drinking, smoking, exercise, and limiting of dietary fat among college students. Undergraduate students (N=2265) completed an online survey. Lower hope scores were related to binge drinking and smoking in the past month and more frequent drinking and binge drinking, controlling for sociodemographics. Higher hope scores were related to greater likelihood of and more frequent exercising and fat limitation in the past month. Interventions to improve college student health behaviors should target hope.