Abstract
Hope is an oft-defined concept; in this chapter we examine four definitions, from various academic perspectives, that converge on central attributes of hope. We then present an integrative definition of hope (future-oriented belief, desire, and mental imagining surrounding a valued outcome that is uncertain but possible) and a parallel definition of other-oriented hope (future-oriented belief, desire, and mental imagining surrounding a valued outcome of another person that is uncertain but possible). To further explore attributes of hope, we examine evidence of the differentiation of hope from related states such as optimism, joy, and desire. We then examine numerous attempts to conceptualize hope from a multidimensional perspective, we identify those dimensions that are common or frequently occurring across such conceptualizations, and we highlight those dimensions most pertinent to other-oriented hope.
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Howell, A.J., Larsen, D.J. (2015). Definitions and Attributes of Hope, and Their Application to Other-Oriented Hope. In: Understanding Other-Oriented Hope. SpringerBriefs in Well-Being and Quality of Life Research. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15007-9_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15007-9_3
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