The potential role of hope in social work practice: a qualitative analysis through student views

Hope theory and therapy interventions provide benefits for people going through life challenges. This study examines the subjective perceptions of social work undergraduate students from Türkiye regarding the concept of hope from a qualitative perspective. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 social work students. The meaning of hope, metaphoric expressions, emotional strength, and role in the recovery process were analysed under four main themes. The findings show that hope is not only cognitive but also a deep emotional source and a healing inner strength. The students explain hope with metaphors such as nature, journey, light, and story. In the field of social work, hope is considered a critical tool in helping clients develop resilience and find motivation for change. The findings reveal that the concept of hope can be integrated into social work practices and can be used as an effective tool in working with clients through metaphors and narratives.