Predictors of Hope Among Members of Mental Health Self-Help Agencies

Abstract

Hope is a key construct for successful community adjustment among those with severe mental illnesses, particularly given the strengths-based recovery model increasingly prevalent in mental health services and in social work. Consumer-run mental health self-help agencies (SHAs) are well suited to fostering hope via their supportive program environments. This study examines factors associated with hope among members of four self-help agencies via a two-stage least squares regression model (N = 310). Findings provide evidence of both individual and program-level associations with hope. These findings mirror social work ethical values of focusing on consumer strengths and self-determination, which are primary goals of SHAs.