Behavioral and psychosocial correlates of hope among youth

Introduction

Hope plays a crucial role in the well-being of youth, impacting various aspects of their lives. However, less is known about the role of hope in pre-adolescents. This study aims to explore the psychosocial and behavioral correlates of hope in 9–10-year-old pre-youth transitioning into adolescence.

Methods

Using data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study, 4631 youth entered our study. The investigation follows these individuals for up to 36 months, specifically observing the initiation of marijuana and tobacco use. The methods employed include bivariate correlations.

Results

Baseline high hope offered protection against marijuana and tobacco use over the following 36 months. Elevated levels of hope could be seen in pre-youth with higher family income and those experienced lower levels of stressful life events and financial difficulties. High hope was also linked to lower behavioral problems, improved emotional function, lower impulsivity, lower sensation seeking, and higher cognitive function. Notably, hope was not correlated with parental education, neighborhood income, family conflict, blood pressure, body mass index, grade point average, prosocial behaviors, or puberty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the findings suggest a close interplay between hope and various dimensions of resilience including lower tobacco and marijuana use. Higher levels of hope, influenced by factors such as family income and life events, may be a mechanism that connects hope to enhanced emotional and cognitive functioning and acts as a protective factor against early initiation of substance use. These findings underscore the potential utility of fostering hope as a strategy to promote positive development and reduce tobacco and marijuana use.