An issue that has been open for millennia, crossing cultures and eras, is the meaning of life – a psychological construction that we create through our perception and reflection. For some experts, this concept covers three experiences: purpose, coherence, and existential significance.
an international team of psychologists, led by researchers at the University of Missouri (Mizzou) in the US, argues that “positive feelings contribute to a significant life.”
Led by Megan Edwards and Laura King, from the Department of Psychological Sciences at Mizzou, The authors conducted six studies, with more than 2.3 thousand participantsto test what they have defined as “one of the strongest positive emotions that directly promotes a sense of meaning”: hope.
According to Edwards, “our research changes the perspective of the hope of a mere cognitive process related to the achievement of goals for its recognition as a vital emotional experience that enriches the meaning of life,” the doctoral student said in a statement.
In all the studies, the authors say, no other positive emotion has had so much power to explain why people feel that their lives have meaning, as hope, as emotion felt (hopeful affection).
Why does hope give meaning to life?
In the six studies conducted at the Mizzou Psychological Sciences Department, the researchers applied questionnaires, psychological scales and experiments to measure.
Among various positive – and even induced – emotions, such as joy, excitement, and happiness, the authors found that only hope repeatedly stood out in all scenarios as a powerful source of meaning for life.
Unlike the view of the Baruch philosopher of Espinosa, who saw hope as a passive passion, the authors of the current study treat emotion as something positive, essential and healthy. “This perception opens new ways to improve psychological well-being,” says Edwards.
That is, having life perceived as significant generates concrete impacts. This is based on population studies, which people who report perceive greater meaning in life also often have benefits such as stronger relationships, higher physical health, higher income levels and emotional well-being.
But this statistical association does not mean that just “believing” guarantees benefits. Other factors influence, such as personality, environment or social context. Still, hope stands out for feeding the expectation that tomorrow can be better, boosting positive attitudes.
Is it possible to “operationalize” hope?
The good news, says King, is that “this cornerstone of psychological functioning is not a rare experience – It is available to people in their daily lives, and hope is one of the things that make life significant. “It does not require major transformations to be cultivated and conserved.
The “operationalization” of hope, suggest the authors, begins with the observation of small good events: a quiet morning, a smile received, a generous gesture. Such moments remind us that despite problems, things can improve and tomorrow can bring new possibilities.
When turmoil, which never seem to end, small actions, however small, increase the sense of control. Therefore, recognizing daily achievements, such as learning something new or just moving on, helps keep the flame of hope lit.
To reinforce the idea that the future can be important, the authors suggest taking care of something – a plant, a pet or someone else. and this belief is the basis for hope.
Unlike the typical speech of self -help, the scientific study of Edwards and his colleagues is based on empirical data and statistical analysis. It avoids simplistic prescriptions: By recognizing hope as emotion, suggests habits to cultivate it, but it does not promise that it will ensure health, money or happiness.
