Measuring hope in older adults and people living with dementia

This thesis portfolio comprises three parts: a systematic literature review, an empirical paper, and the accompanying appendices. Together, they aim to evaluate and to add to the existing literature on measuring hope within older adults and people living with dementia.Part One: The systematic literature review explored how hope has been conceptualised and measured within clinical samples of older adults. Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were assessed for quality using The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Narrative synthesis was conducted and identified four themes within the conceptualisation of hope for clinical samples of older adults: hope as multidimensional, dynamic, a resource, and goal oriented. The outcome measures included in the studies were appraised. The findings demonstrate that hope changes in response to age and illness. Limitations and methodological quality of the studies are discussed, alongside clinical implications and future considerations for research.Part Two: The empirical paper investigated the validity, reliability, and factor structure of the HHI for people living with dementia. It explored the internal consistency of the items within the HHI, as well as the correlations between hope and depression, optimism, and wellbeing to measure convergent validity of the Herth Hope Index in dementia. Demographic differences in hope were also explored. Exploratory Factor Analysis was conducted to determine the factor structure of the Herth Hope Index in dementia. The study findings, clinical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed.Part Three: Appendices providing additional documents for the systematic literature review and empirical paper, an epistemological statement, and a reflective statement.