Discussion continues within the literature on the precise definition of resilience, particularly as to whether resilience is best understood as a cognitive set or by external protective factors. To advance theory on the psychological dimensions of resilience, this study sought to explore the relationship between the latent variables of perceived control and hope, both thought to be cognitive sets associated with resilience. The study involved a cross sectional sample (N ϭ 125) of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) receiving services from an emergency IPV shelter. The study used a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) followed by a Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) to explore the relationship between locus of control (Levenson, 1973a) to hope (Synder et al., 1991). The PCA recovered 4 unique components, consisting of (a) hope; (b) internal locus of control; (c) powerful others locus of control; and (d) chance locus of control. The subsequent PLS-SEM path analysis using the recovered components indicated internal and powerful others locus of control were both significantly and positively associated with hope. The results suggest the need for future research to explore the relationships between the cognitive sets locus of control and hope, both thought to be important drivers of resilience among IPV survivors.

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Purpose: To evaluate mindfulness meditation as an antecedent of reductions in stress and increases in hope. Method: A quasi-experimental design ( N = 46; meditation group, n = 23; comparison group, n = 23) using a community sample was used to evaluate the impact of mindfulness meditation on stress and hope. A path analysis was also used to model a directional relationship between meditation participation and increases in hope mediated by reductions in stress. Results: The data indicated that the meditation group exhibited significantly higher hope and lower stress than the comparison group. The path analysis indicated that reductions in stress fully mediated the relationship between mindfulness meditation and increases in hope. Discussion: The data support that meditation can increase hope via stress reduction. The results suggest a need for further research into mindfulness meditation and hope, especially since increasing hope is a fundamental aim of strengths-based practice.