This open access book presents an integrative and transdisciplinary conceptualization of hope and brings together cross-cultural studies based on quantitative data from around the globe. It incorporates state-of-the-art theories of hope from psychology, philosophy and theology and presents a novel approach to the study of hope in different life situations. The volume analyses empirical data from the Hope Barometer international research network, collected from more than 40,000 participants between 2017 and 2021. The authors use this broad database to investigate the nature and value of hope for well-being and flourishing at individual and societal levels, in various regions, and different cultural, religious and social backgrounds. The chapters study the cultural characteristics of different facets and elements of hope and furthermore explore its common qualities to elucidate the universal nature of hope across cultures. Comprehensive, transdisciplinary and cross-cultural in scope, this volume is of interest to a global readership across the social and behavioural sciences.
Dr. Andreas M. Krafft holds a doctoral degree in Management Sciences at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, with special focus on Organizational Psychology, Culture and Development. He has academic degrees in Social Psychology of Organizations, Work and Health Psychology as well as Positive Psychology from the University of Zürich. Andreas is researcher for futures studies and lecturer at the Institute of Systemic Management and Public Governance at the University of St. Gallen. Furthermore, he teaches at the University of Zürich in the field of Work and Health, at the Master of Applied Positive Psychology, University of Lisbon, Portugal, as well as at the Master of Futures Studies from the Free University Berlin. He is co-president of swissfuture, the Swiss Society for Futures Studies, member of the executive board of SWIPPA (the Swiss Positive Psychology Association) and of the DACH-PP (German speaking Association of Positive Psychology). Since many years he leads the International Research Network of the Hope Barometer and has published several books and articles in scientific journals.
Prof. Dr. Tharina Guse is a counselling psychologist and obtained an MA (Counselling Psychology) degree from the Potchefstroom University (now North-West University) in 1989. She was in full-time private practice for the next 15 years providing psychotherapy for children, adolescents and adults. In 2003 she obtained her PhD (Psychology) from Potchefstroom University. She returned to academia in 2005 and joined the University of Johannesburg. Since April 2018 she is a professor and Head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Pretoria. Currently she serves on the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). She is also President of the recently founded South African Positive Psychology Association (SAPPA). Her research focuses are on positive psychology in general and in particular on psychosocial well-being, positive psychology interventions and psychological strengths such as hope and gratitude. Closely aligned with this broad focus she also conducts research on the application of hypnosis for the promotion of mental health and well-being.
Alena Slezackova, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Psychology at the Dept. of Psychology and Psychosomatics, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University, in Brno, Czech Republic. Her scientific interests include mainly hope, mental health, and well-being. She also has a special interest in the research and practice of mindfulness. Alena is a founder and director of the Czech Positive Psychology Centre (CPPC), a member of the Advisory Council of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA), and a member of the Executive Board of the European Network for Positive Psychology (ENPP). She has been a member of several international research projects, and she serves on the editorial boards of five academic psychological journals. Alena is the author of the first comprehensive monograph on positive psychology in the Czech language and dozens of scientific publications in positive psychology and health psychology.
