WHERE THERES LIFE, THERES HOPE, AND WHERE THERE IS HOPE, THERE IS

Using the Herth Hope Index, we describe the level of hopefulness among hospital patients and compare it to that reported by community person s and family members in a surgical waiting room. We also correlate the se results with depression and self-esteem scores. As measured by thes e selected instruments, the results suggest that the level of hopefuln ess is not significantly different among the three samples, that it is positively correlated with self-esteem and negatively associated with depression, and that, among the demographic variables, only the respo ndent's age and frequency of attendance at worship significantly influ ence hope scores. The results suggest that pastoral caregivers can enc ourage hopefulness among those under their care by bolstering self-est eem and giving attention to depressive symptoms. They also suggest tha t those who need the most pastoral support are younger adults with lim ited education. Pastoral caregivers can use these results, we think, t o inform their work in giving pastoral care.