The authors investigated the effectiveness of a 5-week hope-based intervention
designed to enhance hope, life satisfaction, self-worth, mental health and academic
achievement in middle school students. The study includes a sample of 31 students from a
community school, a matched comparison group of 31 students, and 2 secondary groups—
guardians and teachers of the students’ intervention group. Students completed a questionnaire
packet that included demographic information, the Portuguese versions of the
Children’s Hope Scale, Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale, Mental Health and Self-Worth
Scales. Academic achievement was obtained from school records. At baseline, groups are
statistically similar on the variables of interest. At post-test the intervention group had
enhanced hope, life satisfaction and self-worth. In the intervention group, benefits in hope,
life satisfaction and self-worth were maintained at the 18-month follow up. Results suggest
that a brief hope intervention can increase psychological strengths, and participants continue
to benefit up to 1-year and 6-months later
