Hope and Hopelessness: Critical Clinical Constructs

By Carol J. Farran, Judith Popovich, Kaye A. Herth

Book Overview

Health care professionals have long been aware of the causal relationship that exists between a person′s psychological and physical well being; yet little has been done to integrate and analyze the available material evaluating the comparative effects of hope and hopelessness on the body. Authors Farran, Herth, and Popovich have assembled current research regarding these key constructs from a variety of sources and perspectives to create an essential resource for studies in this field. The volume begins with an exploration of conceptual and theoretical issues; the second section focuses on assessment and intervention, examining how each construct has been operationalized for research purposes; finally, qualitative and quantitative results are reviewed. The work also provides meticulous explications of the instruments presented, including their theoretical bases, factor structures, psychometric properties, and appropriate populations. Hope and Hopelessness offers members of the nursing, medical, allied health, and social work professions an indispensable tool for the assessment and care of persons affected by these opposing--but equally compelling--constructs. "The authors have done the task that needed doing. This book] draws the sparse research and the rich diversity of views on hope into a readable text. The overview of research, including a thorough appraisal of assessment instruments, paves the way for reflection by the mind that loves disciplined inquiry. The flavor of clinical examples tantalizes us to search our own clinical experience for vignettes that inform us about hope in the practical world. To learn about hope in the field of nursing, this is where to start." --Ronna Jevne, University of Alberta "The authors have shown how soft, spongy, and difficult to define constructs can be transformed into ones that move toward the minutely exact. This increased utility will enable better outcomes for patients. This approach will not only provide expanded clinical insight into hope and hopelessness, but the authors have demonstrated that other similar constructs that have sorely needed a precise understanding can be approached similarly. This book has value for all clinicians." --Luther C. Christman, Dean Emeritus, Rush University "The manuscript makes a major contribution to the body of literature on health-related concepts. I know of no other book that so thoroughly covers a topic that is of great interest to health care professionals. . . . I would recommend this book for courses at the graduate level in theory and concept development. . . . The use of case vignettes is well done. The cases are then used effectively to illustrate more abstract ideas about the concepts of hope and hopelessness. . . . As I read the manuscript, I was consistently thinking of implications for my own research, practice, and even personal situation. This book clearly identifies the implications, the ′so what′s′ of knowing about hope and hopelessness. . . . This work is an extremely scholarly one. It provides a much needed summary and synthesis on the state of knowledge on hope and hopelessness." --Joan Haase, University of Arizona "This scholarly work presents a comprehensive discussion of two important conceptual constructs for oncology nursing practice--hope and hopelessness. . . . It is a first in the nursing literature in terms of its focus and the comprehensive nature of the research and clinical information. This volume will aid clinicians and researchers in the exploration of these constructs in addition to the larger issue of quality of life." --Oncology Nursing Forum

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0803951671
• ISBN13: 9780803951679
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc
• Length: 270 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 0.8" x 6.0"