Identifying Effective Indicators for Strengthening Hope Through Group Counseling in High School Students

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the key factors in enhancing hope through group counseling in high school students.

Methods and Materials: This qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews. The participants were selected purposively, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. A total of 19 high school students from Tehran participated in the study. Data were gathered through individual interviews and analyzed using Nvivo software.

Findings: The findings of this study indicated that four main factors are influential in enhancing hope in adolescents through group counseling: social support (including family, friends, and counselors), positive experiences (such as academic successes and volunteer activities), psychological skills (including self-awareness, resilience, and self-regulation), and environmental influences (such as the school environment and positive media). Participants reported that these factors contributed to increased self-confidence, motivation, and hope.

Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that group counseling can effectively enhance hope in high school students. Specifically, social support, positive experiences, psychological skills, and environmental influences are key factors that should be considered when designing counseling programs in schools.