The heritability of hope: Exploring genetics and the environment as sources of variation

This study explored the heritability of cognitive trait hope and its agency and pathway components by estimating the effects of genetics and the environment on observed variation. Although hope is recognized as an important character strength positively associated with psychological health and well-being, little is understood about the contributions of genetics relative to the environment in shaping individual differences. Using a classic twin design, data was analyzed from 637 monozygotic (MZ) and 280 dizygotic (DZ) same-sex adult twin pairs. Structural equation modelling estimated a 41–43 % heritability for trait hope, with the remaining variance (57–59 %) being attributed to the unique environment. The findings align with broader patterns from behavioural genetics research in personality. Future investigations incorporating behaviour genetics approaches to explore hope's development and associations with other protective and risk factors for mental health are discussed.