Background
Hopelessness has long been identified as an important vulnerability factor in the development of depression. Hope, a cognitive trait reflecting positive expectations for achieving goals is increasingly examined as a potential resilience factor for depression. The present meta-analytic review synthesizes the literature examining the link between hope, as conceptualized by Snyder, and depressive symptoms.
Methods
A comprehensive literature review identified 120 studies with a combined sample size of 36,707 that met eligibility criteria.
Results
The weighted cross-sectional mean effect size between hope and depression was r = − 0.443 (95% CI − 0.417: − 0.468). The weighted mean effect size across 10 longitudinal studies examining the prospective effects of hope on depression was r = −.398 (95% CI −.299: −.488).
Conclusions
Moderator analyses indicated that the effects of hope on depression may be somewhat smaller in children and non-White individuals compared to adults and White individuals, although the effects of moderators examined was generally small. These results underscore the potential importance of hope as a resilience factor for depression.