Science: Hope Best Predicts Meaningful Life
New research suggests that the emotion of hope is the strongest single predictor of whether individuals will feel their lives have been meaningful.
A study published in the journal Emotion indicates that the feeling of hope is the most significant predictor of experiencing a meaningful life. The research positions hope above other emotions like contentment or happiness when assessing life's purpose.
The findings suggest that while satisfaction often stems from achieved outcomes, hope is forward-looking, focusing on future potential and aspirations. This forward-looking perspective appears critical to a sustained sense of meaning throughout life.
This concept is supported by other research. A separate study in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry found that actively imagining one's "best possible self" in professional, relational, and personal domains led to increased optimism and overall life satisfaction.
According to the article, the ability to imagine and strive for a better future is key, suggesting that age is less of a barrier than the ongoing pursuit of future goals and dreams.