How hope can make you happier with your lot

https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-12/uoea-hhc121620.php

 

News Release 16-Dec-2020
University of East Anglia

 

Having hope for the future could protect people from risky behaviours such as drinking and gambling - according to new research from the University of East Anglia.

Researchers studied 'relative deprivation' - the feeling that other people have things better than you in life.

They wanted to find out why only some people experiencing this turn to escapist and risky behaviours such as drinking alcohol, taking drugs, over-eating or gambling, while others do not.

And they found that the answer lies in hope.


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Mr Keshavarz said: "When we looked at these scores compared to scores for hope and relative deprivation, we found that increased hope was associated with a decreased likelihood of losing control of gambling behaviour - even in those who experienced relative deprivation.

"Interestingly, our study found no significant relation between hope and gambling severity among relatively privileged persons. We don't know why this is, but it could be that they are gambling recreationally or better able to stop when the fun stops."

The research team say that nurturing hope in people who are unhappy with their lot could protect against harmful behaviours like drinking and gambling.