This volume addresses the convincing belief that hope is an existential need and resource for living a good life, not only when all is going well, but especially in difficult times. The findings reported in this volume result from the annual survey of the Hope-Barometer Research Program collected during 7 years and conducted in several countries. Structured in three parts, the first one provides the reader with a general introduction into the topic of hope, the theoretical and methodological foundations and major general results of the Hope-Barometer. Part two presents specific topics related to the levels and variations of hope across different population groups, and the relationship of hope with several measures of well-being. Further part three focuses on comparisons of elements and levels of hope across cultures discussing methods and techniques to improve hope and thus increase overall well-being.

Andreas M. Krafft holds a doctoral degree in Management Sciences at the University of St. Gallen with special focus on Organizational Psychology, Culture and Development. He has a specialization in Social Psychology of Organizations as well as in Work and Health Psychology. Dr. Krafft is Associate Researcher and Lecturer at the Institute for Systemic Management and Public Governance at the University of St. Gallen and Lecturer at the University of Zürich in the field of Work and Health. Furthermore, he is member of the Executive Board of Swissfuture, the Swiss Society of Futures Studies and since 2010 responsible for the Hope-Barometer. Dr. Krafft develops volunteer work in an NPO dedicated to the assistance of people particularly with chronic, non-curable or terminal diseases with special focus on Latin America. He wrote several publications on management related topics, specifically on the role of Leadership and Innovation to promote Personal Wellbeing. He is member of the International Positive Psychology Association and of the Swiss Positive Psychology Association. Pasqualina Perrig-Chiello is professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Bern. Her research and teaching focus on topics of life-span developmental psychology, especially individual differences in well-being and health and familial intergenerational relations: solidarity, family caregiving, biographical transitions (leaving home), critical life events (divorce). Professor Perrig-Chiello is an expert in family issues over life span. She chaired and carried out various research projects around family issues, such as a national research program on intergenerational relations in Switzerland, or the Swiss Study on family caregivers SwissAgeCare-2010 und AgeCare-SuisseLatine-2011, and edited the "Swiss Generation Report" (2008), the "Swiss Childhood & Youth Report" (2008), and the "Swiss Social Report with focus on generations" (2012). She is member of the Editorial Board of several international scientific journals, and was member of the National Research Council of the Swiss National Science Foundation and of the Standing Committe for the Social Sciences of the European Science Foundation, Strasbourg. Author of over 200 scientific publications. Andreas M. Walker holds a doctoral degree in Economical Geography and regional planning at the University of Zurich and a master degree in Geography, History and German Studies at the University of Basel. Dr. Walker is one of the leading futurists and strategic foresight experts of Switzerland, co-president of swissfuture, the Swiss Society of Futures Studies, founder of the Hope-Barometer in 2009, member of the General Assembly of the Swiss Academy of Humanities and Social Sciences and member of the OECD Government Foresight Community. As an expert, consultant and key note speaker he is advising leaders from politics, government, security forces, economy, NGOs and NPOs regarding opportunities and threats of long term changes as well as unforeseen incidents and well known as an interview and panel partner within the medias and on conferences. Walker is president of the parental board of a High School in Basel.