Hopelessness: Concepts And Definitions Of Hopefulness

Definitions of hopelessness

First definition:

Hopelessness is the loss of confidence that makes a person feels that future will not be positive.

Second definition: Hopelessness can be defined as the subjective condition in which a person believe that he has limited choices and is unable to use his energy in his behalf.

Third definition:

Hopelessness is connected with low health outcomes and he thinks that he is living in a negative environment and lacks self-confidence.

Literature studies

Hopelessness may be a symptom of a variety of mental health conditions, or it may occur when an individual is discouraged by dissatisfying, distressing, or negative life events. One survey, conducted among 1000 people who had been diagnosed with

This type of therapy targets an individual’s negative thoughts and assumptions. As cognitive therapy requires that individuals in treatment carefully analyze the validity of their assumptions, those dealing with feelings of hopelessness may initially be resistant to the approach. However, therapists can often overcome this obstacle by first working with the person in therapy to address these feelings, often by focusing on self-esteem enhancement.

Numerous studies show that therapy is often able to help those experiencing hopelessness regain their hope and achieve lasting mental wellness.

Nursing interventions

1. Monitor and document potential for suicide. (Refer client for appropriate treatment if potential for suicide is identified.) See care plan for Risk for self-directed Violence for specific interventions.

Hopelessness is directly associated with suicidal behavior and also with a variety of other dysfunctional personal characteristics (Fritsch et al, 2000). Previous suicide attempts and hopelessness are the most powerful clinical predictors of future completed suicide (Malone et al, 2000).

2. Assess the client for and point out reasons for living.

Interventions that increase the awareness of reasons for living may decrease hopelessness and decrease risk for suicide (Malone et al, 2000).

3. Assess for impaired problem-solving ability and dysfunctional

Determine appropriate approaches based on the underlying condition or situation that is contributing to feelings of hopelessness. Either encourage a positive mental attitude (discourage negative thoughts) or brace client for negative outcomes (i.e., client may need to accept some long-term limitations).

6. Assist client with looking at alternatives and setting goals that are important to him or her. Mutual goal setting ensures that goals are attainable and helps to restore a cognitive-temporal sense of hope (Johnson, Dahlen, Roberts, 1997). Clients who do not know what to hope for are without hope. Thus an integral part of developing hope is determining and setting goals. The significance of the goal to the individual is complex and critical to sustaining hope (Morse, Doberneck, 1995).

7. In dealing with possible long-term deficits, work with the client to set small, attainable goals. Mutual goal setting ensures that goals are attainable and helps to restore a cognitive-temporal sense of hope (Johnson, Dahlen, Roberts, 1997). Clients with spinal cord injury focused hope only on small gains, one step at a time. "Every little step I took was more important to me than what I had in the end" (Morse, Doberneck,