Stable Hopelessness and its Predictors in a General Population: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study

Information on hopelessness at the population level is limited, and no previous studies have focused on its stability in a general population. We examined the stability and associated factors of hopelessness in a general population sample of 1,389 adults. More than half of those who were hopeless at baseline remained hopeless on follow‐up. When those with a mental disorder were excluded, the relative risk for stable hopelessness in unemployed men was 7.2 (95% CI 2.6–19.9), in men with a poor financial situation it was 3.5 (95% CI 1.3–9.3), and in women with a poor financial situation it was 3.8 (95% CI 1.5–9.4). Awareness of the stability of hopelessness offers us new possibilities in preventative and mental health work.