Frontiers in Psychology (Jun 2023)

Hope for brain health: impacting the life course and society

  • Jayashree Dasgupta,
  • Jayashree Dasgupta,
  • Joyla A. Furlano,
  • Zach Bandler,
  • Sol Fittipaldi,
  • Sol Fittipaldi,
  • Alison J. Canty,
  • Alison J. Canty,
  • Anusha Yasoda-Mohan,
  • Shaimaa I. El-Jaafary,
  • Shaimaa I. El-Jaafary,
  • Valentine Ucheagwu,
  • Valentine Ucheagwu,
  • Grainne McGettrick,
  • Vanessa de la Cruz-Góngora,
  • Vanessa de la Cruz-Góngora,
  • Kim-Huong Nguyen,
  • Kim-Huong Nguyen,
  • Brian Lawlor,
  • Aline Nogueira Haas,
  • Aline Nogueira Haas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1214014
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14

Abstract

Read online

Hope is a cognitive process by which an individual can identify their personal goals and develop actionable steps to achieve results. It has the potential to positively impact people’s lives by building resilience, and can be meaningfully experienced at both the individual and group level. Despite this significance, there are sizable gaps in our understanding of the neurobiology of hope. In this perspective paper, the authors discuss why further research is needed on hope and its potency to be harnessed in society as a “tool” to promote brain health across healthy and patient populations. Avenues for future research in hope and the brain are proposed. The authors conclude by identifying strategies for the possible applications of hope in brain health promotion within the areas of technology, arts, media, and education.

Keywords