An Investigation of the Relationship of Love, Mutuality,
Freedom and Newness with the Perception of Hope in Patients
with the Diagnosis of Cancer
Mary Thompson

Problem Statement

Illness can be like a great burden which saps emotional and spiritual energy, reduces perspective, and thwarts hope. Hope is a significant ingredient for healing and wellness, and for coping with suffering. It is necessary for life itself. Nurses, as well as patients, need hope.

Knowledge concerning hope would benefit the practitioner and the patient. However, to date there is a deficiency of literature on hope. Research is needed to investigate the nature of hope and find ways to assist people to maintain and develop hope.

Purpose of the Study

The research was aimed at developing descriptive information concerning the phenomenon of hope. It identified and described variables associated with hope as well as relationships among the variables. The study also provided groundwork for future research.

Methodology

The study was designed to investigate hope from the perspective of patients with cancer who were either experiencing hope or feeling its absence. A field study method was chosen. Data collection included three in-depth interviews with ten patients, responses to scale items, and observations of behavior. Qualitative methods of content analysis were used to examine the data.

Major Findings

Results of the study were focused in four areas: The overall analysis of data led to a beginning conceptualization of hope. Evaluation of expressions and responses of hope (variables of expectation and action) provided a framework for assessment of hope. Examination of the context of hope (variables of love from God and others, mutuality, freedom, and newness) provided understanding of the inception of hope. The experience and beliefs of patients identified some specific psychosocial and spiritual priorities for nursing intervention to facilitate hope.

The study was significant in beginning theory development on hope. It also identified a need for further research involving developing tools, enlarging the scope of descriptive data, and investigating methods of instilling hope in clinical settings.