Qualitative study uncovers multifaceted dimensions of hope among formerly incarcerated Black men, highlighting personal agency and collective healing during community reentry.
Key Points
To explore how formerly incarcerated Black men conceptualize and experience hope during community reentry using positive psychology and radical hope frameworks.
Conducted qualitative interviews with formerly incarcerated Black men (N=16).
Analyzed interview transcripts using an abductive approach and thematic analysis applying Snyder's hope theory and Mosley et al.'s psychology of radical hope.
Identified three primary themes consistent with Snyder's model of hope: Goals, Self-Determination Processes, and Pathways.
Identified three sub-themes aligned with radical hope (A Better Collective Future, Faith, Meaning & Purpose) and four novel sub-themes that expand existing hope frameworks (Awakening/Epiphany/Encounter, Community/Social Support, Personal Growth, and HEAL-th).