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The Role of Hope in Cognitive-Behavior Therapies

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Abstract

A cognitive, two-component model of hope proposed by Snyder and colleagues is reviewed. Hope is defined as the perceived capability to (1) derive pathways to desired goals and (2) motivate oneself via agentic thinking to initiate and sustain movement along those pathways. The roles of these pathways and agency components of hope theory are described along with similarities and differences relative to other motivational and emotional theories, including optimism, self-efficacy, self-esteem, and problem solving. The goal focus, agentic thought, and pathways thought of hope theory are used as a framework for understanding the adaptive processes in the various phases of cognitive-behavior therapies, including relapse prevention. It is concluded that hope theory offers a valuable overarching framework for understanding common factors in behavior therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

    C. R. Snyder

  2. Department of Psychology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

    Stephen S. Ilardi, Jen Cheavens, Scott T. Michael, Laura Yamhure & Susie Sympson

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  1. C. R. Snyder
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  2. Stephen S. Ilardi
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  3. Jen Cheavens
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  4. Scott T. Michael
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  5. Laura Yamhure
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  6. Susie Sympson
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Snyder, C.R., Ilardi, S.S., Cheavens, J. et al. The Role of Hope in Cognitive-Behavior Therapies. Cognitive Therapy and Research 24, 747–762 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005547730153

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