Hope and depression among pandemic graduates

ABSTRACT

This mixed method study examined hope and depression among pandemic graduates using Locus of Hope Theory. Phase one examined the relationship of internal and external locus of hope dimensions on the depressive symptoms of 101 pandemic graduates through an online survey. Analysis revealed that 66.3% of the sample had moderate to severe levels of depression. Among the four dimensions, only internal hope was significantly associated with depression. Phase two involved 12 participants screened to have high hope scores. They were asked to participate in focus group discussions regarding their sources of hope. Despite the non-significant relationship between external loci of hope and depression in phase one, responses in the qualitative phase provided evidence for external sources of hope (family, peers, and spiritual being) during the pandemic. Practical implications are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• External locus of hope
• internal hope
• depression
• pandemic graduates
• Philippines

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Declaration

This study was conducted in accordance with the ethical standards set by the American Psychological Association as well the Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments.

Data Availability Statement

The data used in this study can be found in the Open Science Framework (OSF) repository with URI: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z8PT7

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

There is no source of funding to disclose.

Notes on contributors

Isaiah C. Dela Cruz

Isaiah C. Dela Cruz is an undergraduate student from De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. He is currently a Research Assistant at the Hope Lab, Department of Psychology, De La Salle University, Manila. His research interests include social cognition, decision-making, hope and well-being, and other personality and applied social psychology topics.

Daniela Catherine M. Agpaoa

Daniela Catherine M. Agpaoa is an undergraduate student from De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. Her research interests include topics from environmental psychology, positive psychology, and mental health.

Michael Bernabe B. Archeta

Michael Bernabe B. Archeta is an undergraduate student from De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. He is currently a Research Assistant at the Hope Lab, Department of Psychology, De La Salle University, Manila.

Jamila Gayle H. Paris

Jamila Gayle H. Paris is an undergraduate student from De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. Her research interests broadly include topics from developmental psychology, positive psychology, community psychology, Marxism, and women's studies.

Patricia D. Simon

Patricia D. Simon is an Associate Professor from De La Salle University, Manila, Philippines. She is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at The University of Hong Kong. She is interested in topics related to mental health and well-being, environmental psychology, and educational technology.