Scientists: This Belief Is Key to Meaningful Life

Hope is not just wishful thinking. It is a powerful emotional force that gives our lives meaning. A new groundbreaking study from the University of Missouri now suggests that hope may be even more essential to well-being than happiness or gratitude, the journal Emotion reported.

For years, psychologists have linked hope to goal-setting and motivation. But a team of researchers led by Megan Edwards and Laura King from Mizzou’s Department of Psychological Sciences is challenging that view. Their findings show that hope stands out as one of the strongest positive emotions that directly contributes to a sense of meaning.

“Our research shifts the perspective on hope from merely a cognitive process related to goal attainment to recognizing it as a vital emotional experience that enriches life’s meaning,” said Edwards, who earned a doctorate at Mizzou and is now a postdoctoral scholar at Duke University. “This insight opens new avenues for enhancing psychological well-being.”

Using six studies involving more than 2,300 participants from diverse backgrounds, the team examined a variety of emotions, including amusement, contentment, excitement, and happiness. The results showed that only hope consistently predicted a stronger sense of meaning.

Experiencing meaning in life is a central aspect of psychological functioning, predicting a host of important outcomes, such as happiness, better quality relationships, better physical health, and higher income, King, a Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Psychological Sciences, said.

“Experiencing life as meaningful is crucial for just about every good thing you can imagine in a person’s life,” King said. “This cornerstone of psychological functioning is not a rare experience — it is available to people in their everyday lives and hope is one of the things that make life feel meaningful.”

Since experiencing meaning in life can improve everything from self-care to relationships and daily habits, the researchers offer simple strategies to build hope in everyday life

One effective method is to focus on and appreciate positive moments, even small ones. While people often concentrate on future goals, taking time to notice when things are going well can help nurture a sense of hope.

Another strategy is to seize opportunities even in chaotic times. When life feels uncertain, recognizing and seizing small opportunities can create a sense of forward momentum.

Additionally, it helps to appreciate growth and potential, both in yourself and others. Recognizing ongoing progress can inspire thoughts of a positive future.

Engaging in caring and nurturing activities is another way to cultivate hope. Just as tending to children or planting trees can symbolize future possibilities, investing time in activities that nurture growth can reinforce a hopeful mindset.

And when things feel bleak, it’s important to remember that nothing is permanent. Situations can change — and hope begins with the belief that they will.

King believes their findings may only scratch the surface of hope’s full impact.

Future research will explore the power of hope in especially difficult times, Edwards said. The goal is to develop strategies that help people stay hopeful and find meaning, even when facing adversity.

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