Role of hope in academic and sport achievement.

Abstract

Hope is the sum of goal thoughts as tapped by pathways and agency. Pathways reflect the perceived capability to produce goal routes; agency reflects the perception that one can initiate action along these pathways. Using trait and state hope scales, studies explored hope in college student athletes. In Study 1, male and female athletes were higher in trait hope than nonathletes; moreover, hope significantly predicted semester grade averages beyond cumulative grade point average and overall self-worth. In Study 2, with female cross-country athletes, trait hope predicted athletic outcomes; further, weekly state hope tended to predict athletic outcomes beyond dispositional hope, training, and self-esteem, confidence, and mood. In Study 3, with female track athletes, dispositional hope significantly predicted athletic outcomes beyond variance related to athletic abilities and affectivity; moreover, athletes had higher hope than nonathletes.A typical dictionary definition of hope as "a desire and the confident expectation of its fulfillment" captures one of the fundamental reasons that humans enjoy sporting activities (Osterhoudt, 1978). From the First Olympiad in 776 B.C. to neighborhood basketball games to next year's Super Bowl, the athletes' hopes for desired sport goals are pivotal to understanding these activities. Nevertheless, the role of hope has remained unexplored among personality researchers interested in individual differences in motivation, as well as by sport psychologists, largely because a theoretical model of hope and the associated measurement instruments have not been available. Accordingly, on the basis of the recent development of a theory of hope and measurement indices related to this construct, the present series of studies was performed to provide initial information about the role of hope in the academic and sport achievements of college students.Previously, scholarly writings have defined hope as a unidimensional construct involving an overall perception that goals can be met (French, 1952;Lewin, 1935;Stotland, 1969). Expanding on this unidimensional model, Snyder and his col-

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“…Participants were 216 French students from middle and high schools. Consistent with previous studies (Curry, Snyder, Cook, Ruby, & Rehm, 1997;Peterson, Gerhardt, & Rode, 2006), results from a 6-month prospective study revealed that perceived ability predicted final GPEC, through the mediating role of state hope. Moreover, dispositional hope predicted perceived ability in PE, and state hope that, in turn, positively predicted final GPEC.…”

“…Moreover, findings indicated that trait hope was positively related to performance through the mediating effect of state hope (Peterson et al, 2006). In spite of the fact that it is considered as a distal variable in the prediction of achievement in a given context in most of studies, trait hope has been applied to predict performance in specific domains (e.g., Ciarrochi et al, 2007;Curry et al, 1997;Marques, Pais-Ribeiro, & Lopez, 2011;. In contrast, a small amount of studies has focused on the predictive role of state hope in performance and achievement (e.g., Curry et al, 1997;Davidson, Feldman, & Margalit, 2012;Peterson et al, 2006).…”

“…In contrast, a small amount of studies has focused on the predictive role of state hope in performance and achievement (e.g., Curry et al, 1997;Davidson, Feldman, & Margalit, 2012;Peterson et al, 2006). Moreover, few studies (Curry et al, 1997;Peterson et al, 2006) have investigated the relative importance of trait versus state hope, as well as how they relate to each other, and how their effects on dependents variables are related and differentiated to each other (Peterson et al, 2006). For instance, Curry et al (1997) have shown the predictive effect of trait hope on performance and the mediating role of state hope in this relationship.…”

“…In spite of the fact that it is considered as a distal variable in the prediction of achievement in a given context in most of studies, trait hope has been applied to predict performance in specific domains (e.g., Ciarrochi et al, 2007;Curry et al, 1997;Marques, Pais-Ribeiro, & Lopez, 2011;. In contrast, a small amount of studies has focused on the predictive role of state hope in performance and achievement (e.g., Curry et al, 1997;Davidson, Feldman, & Margalit, 2012;Peterson et al, 2006). Moreover, few studies (Curry et al, 1997;Peterson et al, 2006) have investigated the relative importance of trait versus state hope, as well as how they relate to each other, and how their effects on dependents variables are related and differentiated to each other (Peterson et al, 2006).…”

The need for and meaning of positive organizational behavior

“…Besides the obvious implications that hope has in the clinical psychology and health fields, in recent years there is growing evidence of its positive impact on academic and athletic performance (Curry, Snyder, Cook, Ruby, & Rehm, 1997;Onwuegbuzie & Snyder, 2000). To date, however, hope would be the most unique POB capacity.…”