Background on Hope
Identification on the Concept of Hope Defining hope can be equivocal and yet it is commonly associated with a particular experience. Hope reflects an individuals moral values, it is required for human survival; hope is often needed when there is a sense of uncertainty for the future (Tanis & DiNapoli, 2008). In healthcare, hope is described as one of the most important concepts associated with spirituality; without it everything else seems to loose its value. Therefore, hope instigates positive adjustment during the dynamic process of recovery (Tutton, Seers, & Langstaff, 2009).
Purpose of Concept Analysis
Concept analysis highlights the importance of providing meaning and clarity to a concept. Conceptualizing hope has been one the most challenging terms to make one-dimensional, but the unique quality about hope is that it possess several attributes which make it an interesting subject to explore across various disciplines. The purpose of concept analysis in nursing is to bring about unified understanding of a term, which ultimately becomes a source of reference for improving nursing care and nursing diagnosis (Benzein & Saveman, 1998). In order for nurses to have the opportunity to extend and sustain hope in their patients, it is priority to first explore and understand the concept analysis of hope in terms of nursing care. Multiple researches have been done for the purpose of exploring the empowering properties of hope. In healthcare research studies, hope is commonly conceptualized in scenarios such as, recovery from a possible terminal or permanent illness, hospice and rehabilitation (Benzein & Saveman, 1998).
Underlying Assumptions of Hope Different assumptions have been made to conceptualize hope but a similarity observed between these disciplines is that hope reflects on the future. In psychiatry, hope is conceptualized as a changing future referenced variable that is
References: Bailey, T. C., & Snyder, C. R. (2010). Satisfaction with life and hope: A look at age and marital status Benzein, E., & Saveman, B. I. (1998). One step towards the understanding of hope: a concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 35(6), 322-329. Caboral, M Kylmä, J., & Vehviläinen‐Julkunen, K. (1997). Hope in nursing research: a meta‐analysis of the ontological and epistemological foundations of research on hope. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 25(2), 364-371. Miller, Judith Fitzgerald (2000) Moore, S. L. (2005). Hope makes a difference. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 12(1), 100-105 Reder, E. A. K., & Serwint, J. R. (2009). Until the last breath: exploring the concept of hope for parents and health care professionals during a child 's serious illness