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Cited by 3,737Optimism, Hope, and Well-beingEducation, Achievement, and GiftednessPsychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction

TARGET ARTICLE: Hope Theory: Rainbows in the Mind

Snyder, C. R.·2002·Psychological Inquiry
DOI 10.1207/s15327965pli1304_01
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Abstract

Hope is defined as the perceived capability to derive pathways to desired goals, and motivate oneself via agency thinking to use those pathways. The adult and child hope scales that are derived from hope theory are described. Hope theory is compared to theories of learned optimism, optimism, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Higher hope consistently is related to better outcomes in academics, athletics, physical health, psychological adjustment, and psychotherapy. Processes that lessen hope in children and adults are reviewed. Using the hope theory definition, no evidence is found for "false" hope. Future research is encouraged in regard to accurately enhancing hope in medical feedback and helping people to pursue those goals for which they are best suited.

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Crossref · 10.1207/s15327965pli1304_01

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188 of 188 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Higher levels of hope are associated with improved treatment adherence, ability to cope with illness and loss, and enhanced psychological adjustment.

    “It is clinically important as higher levels of hope are associated with improved treatment adherence, ability to cope with illness and loss and also enhanced psychological adjustment (Snyder, 2002;Van Servellen, Chang, Garcia, & Lombardi, 2002;Weis & Speridakos, 2011).”

    From Brief group‐based acceptance and commitment therapy for stroke survivors. (2019) · cites this paper as Snyder, 2002

  • The Adult Hope Scale was internally consistent (Cronbach's α ranging from .74 to .84), showed good test-retest reliability (Cronbach's α ranging from .73 to .85), and had good validity across student and clinical populations.

    “The questionnaire was internally consistent (Cronbach's a ranging from .74 to .84);showed good test-retest reliability (Cronbach's a ranging from .73 to .85) and good validity across student and clinical populations (Snyder, 2002;Snyder et al., 1991).”

    From Brief group‐based acceptance and commitment therapy for stroke survivors. (2019) · cites this paper as Snyder, 2002

  • The operationalization of hope by Snyder and used in this study transcends the ways hope may be differentially valued or perceived across cultures or religious groups.

    “the operationalization of hope by Snyder [24] and used in this study transcends the ways in which hope may be differentially valued or perceived across cultures or religious groups.”

    From A Hope-based intervention to address disrupted goal pursuits and quality of life among young adult cancer survivors (2020) · cites this paper as [24]

  • Integrating positive psychology, particularly hope, into YACS patient care might enhance mental health, coping, health behaviors, and overall QOL.

    “Integrating positive psychology – and hope in particular – into YACS patient care might be strategic in the process of enhancing mental health [33], coping [24, 26, 27, 33], health behaviors [28–30], and overall QOL [31, 33].”

    From A Hope-based intervention to address disrupted goal pursuits and quality of life among young adult cancer survivors (2020) · cites this paper as [24]

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Authors
Snyder, C. R.
Affiliations
University of Kansas (US)
Corresponding author
Snyder, C. R.
Venue
Psychological Inquiry
Publisher
Informa UK Limited
Published
2002-10
Volume
13
Issue
4
Pages
249-275
ISSN
  • 1047-840X (ISSN-L)
  • 1532-7965
DOI
10.1207/s15327965pli1304_01
OpenAlex
W1968689002
Cited by
3,737
References
201
Citations by year
2026: 382 · 2025: 341 · 2024: 285 · 2023: 306 · 2022: 270 · 2021: 231 · 2020: 278 · 2019: 182 · 2018: 182 · 2017: 157 · 2016: 152 · 2015: 178 · 2014: 142 · 2013: 129 · 2012: 109
FWCI
32.89
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
Psychological Inquiry (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Optimism, Hope, and Well-being
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Education, Achievement, and Giftedness
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
Keywords
hope theory, hope, agency thinking, learned optimism, optimism, self-efficacy, self-esteem, false hope, hope scale, children, academic performance, psychological adjustment, psychotherapy outcome

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