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Why Hope Is The Key To A Meaningful Life, Backed By New Research

June 23, 2025

When we think about what makes life fulfilling, emotions like happiness, gratitude, and love often come to mind.

But according to new research from the University of Missouri, hope may be even more vital.

In a series of six studies involving over 2,300 participants, researchers Megan Edwards and Laura King found that hope isn’t just a cognitive tool for goal-setting — it’s a powerful emotional force that gives our lives meaning. Unlike other positive emotions such as amusement or contentment, hope consistently predicted a stronger sense of meaning in life across all the studies.

“This cornerstone of psychological functioning is not a rare experience — it is available to people in their everyday lives,” said Dr. Laura King. “And hope is one of the things that make life feel meaningful.”

More Than Wishful Thinking

Traditionally, psychology has linked hope to motivation and achieving goals. But this new research suggests something deeper: hope is an emotional experience that helps people feel grounded, inspired, and connected to a larger sense of purpose.

Megan Edwards, now a postdoctoral scholar at Duke University, explains,

“Our research shifts the perspective on hope from merely a cognitive process related to goal attainment to recognizing it as a vital emotional experience that enriches life’s meaning.”

And that meaning has measurable benefits: research has shown that a strong sense of purpose improves physical health, supports better relationships, increases resilience, and even correlates with higher income.

How to Cultivate More Hope

So how can we bring more hope into our lives? The research team offers several simple, practical ideas:

Notice the good: Small moments of joy or progress — a warm meal, a kind word, a problem solved — can fuel hope.

Recognize opportunity during chaos: Even in uncertain times, small chances to grow, connect, or help can spark optimism.

Celebrate growth: Acknowledge your progress, and the potential in others. It reminds us that change is possible.

Engage in nurturing acts: Caring for others, planting something, or building for the future all reinforce the belief in better days to come.

Remember impermanence: Even the darkest seasons pass. Hope begins with the belief that things can change.

What Other Studies Say About Hope

Hope’s benefits are backed by a wide body of research. For example:

A 2010 study in The Journal of Positive Psychology found that hope predicts academic achievement, physical health, and emotional well-being (Snyder et al.).

Another study from Psychology of Addictive Behaviors (2005) found that high-hope individuals were less likely to relapse during addiction recovery.

According to a 2021 article in Frontiers in Psychology, hope is a protective factor against anxiety and depression, especially during difficult events like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hope in Their Own Words

Throughout history, hope has inspired poets, philosophers, and leaders alike:

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." – Desmond Tutu
"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul – and sings the tunes without the words – and never stops at all." – Emily Dickinson
"Everything that is done in the world is done by hope." – Martin Luther King Jr.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." - Apostle Paul

Looking Ahead

The research team at the University of Missouri is just beginning to uncover the full power of hope. Future studies will examine how hope functions in extreme adversity — like loss, trauma, or prolonged hardship — and how we can strengthen it when we need it most.

Because hope isn’t naive. It’s not passive. It’s active belief in possibility, even in the face of uncertainty. And as this new research shows, it might just be the emotional engine that gives our lives their deepest meaning.