Measuring Hope: A Quantitative Approach with Validation in Rural Myanmar. Issue 11 (2nd November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bloem, Jeffrey R.; Boughton, Duncan; Htoo, Kyan; Hein, Aung; Payongayong, Ellen
• Is Part Of: Journal of development studies. Volume 54:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: 2078
• Page End: 2094
• Publication Date: 2018-11-02
• Subjects: Economic development -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Développement économique -- Périodiques; Histoire économique -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Pays en voie de développement -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2017.1385764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0388

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Development economists are increasingly considering the role of hope in behaviours relating to investment, production, and consumption decisions of the poor. Although several studies have examined how the concepts of hope and aspirations may fit into economic theories, empirical studies have yet to validate a reliable measurement of hope. We adapt a quantitative approach to measure hope in the context of rural Myanmar. We present three tests of measurement validity. This study finds that hope measurements are correlated with covariates in a way supported by theory, are distinct from other psychological concepts, and are positively correlated with welfare perceptions.