Foundations of Hope
These three vital needs are linked to hope according to Scioli and Biller.
What are Attachment, Mastery, and Survival?
Feeling abandoned when you needed someone most.
What is Forsakenness?
Feeling your actions have no influence or impact.
What is Powerlessness?
“I want to change, but I can’t do anything without someone helping me.”
Helplessness
Rachel wants to move out but says she doesn’t make enough money and doesn’t have the skills to live independently. “I’m just not equipped.”
Limitedness
This need involves productivity, accomplishment, and empowerment.
What is Mastery?
“I don’t even try to make friends anymore. People don’t really get me anyway.”
What is Alienation?
Feeling treated unfairly at a systemic or societal level.
What is Oppression?
“This is just how my life is going to end up. It’s already decided.”
Doom
Brianna stays in a relationship where she’s constantly criticized. She says, “I know it’s bad, but leaving feels impossible.”
Captivity
This need refers to bonding, intimacy, and feeling connected to others.
What is Attachment?
Feeling blocked creatively or mentally unstimulated.
What is Lack of Inspiration?
Feeling you lack skills, money, or resources to achieve goals.
What is Limitedness?
Feeling condemned to a negative life outcome.
What is Doom?
When Tasha lost her job, she reached out to her family for help. No one responded. Now she says, “When things fall apart, I’m on my own.”
Forsakenness
This need involves overcoming fear, anxiety, loss, and building resilience.
What is Survival?
Feeling like others don’t include you or see you as a peer.
What is Alienation?
Limitedness impacts both mastery and this other hope domain.
What is Survival?
Feeling trapped physically or being in an abusive relationship or harmful situation.
What is Captivity?
Leo won’t make decisions without checking with his older brother. “If I try on my own, I’ll mess it up.”
Helplessness
When we regain hope, we must do this to our cognitive distortions.
What is reframe or reevaluate our thoughts?
“When I was at my lowest point, nobody showed up. Now I don’t trust anyone.”
Forsakenness
“I would go back to school, but I don’t have the money, support, or skills.”
Limitedness
Feeling unable to act without someone else’s help.
What is Helplessness?
Marcus stopped texting his friends back months ago. He tells himself they probably don’t want him around anyway. When they do invite him out, he declines because he feels like he doesn’t fit in.
Alienation