"We have hope": An exploration of hope in highly religious families

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore qualitatively the connections among religion, hope, and relationships.Background: Both hope and religion have often been associated with positive individual and relational outcomes. Some research has found that hope mediates or moderates the relationship between religion and various outcomes. Despite the research that has been done to understand connections between religion and hope, little research has explored these constructs together in a relational context.Method: Using thematic analysis and a team-based approach, we completed an analysis of in-depth interviews with a large, culturally and religiously diverse strengths-based sample of 198 highly religious families.Results: Two themes relating to the religious antecedents of hope were identified (religious beliefs and religious practices) as well as two themes that address the application or outcomes of hope (hope in family life and the experience of religious hopes). Several subthemes were also identified and are discussed and illustrated.Conclusions: For some families, religious beliefs and specific religious practices play an important role in fostering hope, and this hope was reported to enhance various elements of individual and family life.Implications: Results provide support for integrating religion and hope into various individual and relational therapies.