The Potential Unique Impacts of Hope and Resilience on Mental Health and Well‐Being in the Wake of Hurricane Harvey

Abstract

Natural disasters can lead to mental health problems, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Higher levels of loss and/or disruption and prior trauma exposure constitute risk factors for mental illness, whereas protective factors, including hope and resilience, support positive functioning. The present cross-sectional study used structural equation modeling to examine the relative influence of resilience and hope on mental health and well-being 1-3 months after Hurricane Harvey made landfall in August 2017, among a sample of 829 adults in the Greater Houston, Texas area. Resilience was more strongly associated with reduced PTSD symptoms, β = −.31, 95% CI [−.42, −.21], than was hope, β = −.17, 95% CI [−;.30, −.04], whereas hope was more strongly associated with components of well-being, βs = .47-.63. Hope was positively associated with posttraumatic growth, β = .30, 95% CI [.19, .41], whereas resilience was negatively associated with posttraumatic growth, β = −.24, 95% CI [−.35, −.12]. These associations remained consistent after considering risk factors, although more variance in trauma-related outcomes was risk factors were included in the model. The present results suggest that considering the influence of both risk and resilience factors provides an enhanced picture of postdisaster mental health.

Optimism and dispositional hope to promote college students’ subjective well-being in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Also, higher level of hope was found to be related with higher level of flourishing and lower level of fear of happiness (Belen et al, 2019). Additionally, previous research indicated that hope decreased psychological distress, anxiety, and depression (Long et al, 2020;Trzebiński et al, 2020;. For example, increased hope was found to be linked with lower levels of depression and anxiety (Cuijpers et al, 2013;Sadoughi et al, 2017;Snyder et al, 1991).…”

“…During the pandemic, individuals' lives extensively interrupted as everyday interactions were replaced by long periods of isolation and loneliness (Armigate & Nellums, 2020;. Additionally, many people experienced a fear of infection and death, anxiety for their loved one's safety, and stress about the uncertainty of the future (Brooks et al, 2020;Gallagher et al, 2020). Further, schools and businesses were suspended, travels restricted, and maintaining social distance was mandated to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 disease (Gostin & Wiley, 2020).…”

“…Further, schools and businesses were suspended, travels restricted, and maintaining social distance was mandated to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 disease (Gostin & Wiley, 2020). All these unexpected changes combined with financial instability intensified psychological distress (Brooks et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2020) and stress-related disorders such as anxiety, depression Gallagher et al, 2020;Polizzi et al, 2020;Wang et al, 2020), sleep disturbances (Wang et al, 2020), and PTSD (Bao et al 2020;Liu et al, 2020). Further, current studies reported that the risk of getting coronavirus was linked with death distress and general health (Yıldırım, & Güler, 2020;, however some factors such as positivity, coping skills, and meaning in life have found to be buffered the negative impacts of coronavirus stress on individuals' mental health (Yıldırım & Güler, 2020;Arslan & Yıldırım, 2021).…”

Traumatic Distress of COVID-19 and Depression in the General Population: Exploring the Role of Resilience, Anxiety, and Hope

“…However, there is very limited research exploring the relationship between hope and depression during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hope has also been well established as a factor associated with the process of resilience following exposure to adversities [49][50][51][52]. Notably, prior research showed that hope can be increased through different therapeutic approaches or interventions [53][54][55].…”

Effect of Hope-Oriented Group Counseling on Mental Health of Infertile Women with Failed IVF Cycles: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Hope therapy is one of these psychological interventions. Hope is a physiological need of humans that brings them exibility, freshness, and the ability to get rid of life harms and also improves their mental health (20). Considering the effects of hopepromoting group interventions and interaction-induced insight and learning, hope-oriented group counseling can play a major role in improving QoL of patients with incurable and chronic diseases (21).…”