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The Meaning of Hope and Vice Versa: Goal-Directed Thinking and the Construction of a Meaningful Life

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The Experience of Meaning in Life

Abstract

This chapter concerns empirical and theoretical relationships between hope—particularly, Snyder’s (Psychol Inq, 13:249–275, 2002) “Hope Theory” construct—and various operationalizations of life meaning. I begin by discussing the strong empirical associations between these constructs, with research demonstrating an average correlation of.67. A further literature review provides clues regarding what role hope may play in establishing a meaningful life. Support is offered for a two-process model of establishing a meaningful life: (1) the identification of values-concordant goals and (2) the cognition and behavior necessary to pursue those goals. Given hope’s demonstrated relationships with goal pursuit, its strong relationship with meaning is likely driven by its role in the second process. I discuss the implications of this perspective for research and therapeutic endeavors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Counseling Psychology, Santa Clara University, Loyola Hall, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA, 95053, USA

    David B. Feldman

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  1. David B. Feldman
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Correspondence to David B. Feldman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Dept. of Psychology, Texas A&M University, TAMU 4235, College Station, 77843, Texas, USA

    Joshua A. Hicks

  2. , Dept of Psychology, North Dakota State University, Minard Hall, Fargo, 58105, North Dakota, USA

    Clay Routledge

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Feldman, D.B. (2013). The Meaning of Hope and Vice Versa: Goal-Directed Thinking and the Construction of a Meaningful Life. In: Hicks, J., Routledge, C. (eds) The Experience of Meaning in Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6527-6_11

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