Hope Begins in Childhood: Global Study Reveals Key Factors Shaping Adult Resilience

By Wendy L. Patrick

A cross-national study led by Victor Counted et al. (2025) titled “Seeds of Hope” explored how childhood experiences influence adult hope, revealing significant variations across 22 countries. The research highlights that positive factors such as supportive parental relationships, good health, and regular religious attendance during childhood are strongly linked to higher levels of hope in adulthood. Conversely, adverse experiences like abuse or feeling socially isolated during youth correlate with diminished hope.

The study found that the relationship between childhood health and future optimism is consistent in many nations but varies by cultural and socio-economic context. For instance, weekly religious attendance significantly boosted hope in Sweden but had a weaker effect in Indonesia and no measurable impact in Argentina. Similarly, the quality of parental relationships influenced adult hope differently across countries.

Counted et al. also noted that self-rated childhood health was a robust predictor of hopeful adulthood, underscoring the connection between physical well-being and emotional resilience. However, they acknowledged that broader socio-economic challenges can mitigate these benefits.

The research emphasizes the importance of early life experiences in fostering hope, while stressing that cultural and environmental factors shape their impact. The findings suggest that strategies to nurture healthy, happy children could yield long-term societal benefits by cultivating resilient adults.