Promoting hope: preliminary investigation into a college-level hope curriculum

J Am Coll Health. 2024 Mar 5:1-7. doi: 10.1080/07448481.2024.2317189. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Objective: Hope is a malleable, cognitive, motivational skill that supports college student outcomes. We evaluated a college-level curriculum that taught hope skills.

Participants: Using a voluntary response sampling method, a total of 50 participants were included in the present study with 25 in each the control and intervention group.

Methods: All students completed surveys on hope at the beginning and end of the semester. The intervention group participated in a 10-week curriculum; students in the control group completed their regular introductory course.

Results: The intervention group had a significant increase in hope over the semester. Completing the hope course predicted significantly higher end-of- -semester hope, accounting for the beginning-of- semester hope.

Conclusions: Hope can be taught via a classroom setting using a curriculum that requires limited financial and time resources. Improving college student hope has implications for their academic and well-being outcomes.

Keywords: College students; hope; hope intervention.