Meredith Hope

I examine how contributions of high-risk contexts are influenced by the presence of cultural institutions and resources in Black youth development. Conceptualizing these resources as change agents that may promote well-being amid on-going adversity, I use historical narratives of Black Americans to explore cultural institutions long salient and foundational to Black resilience. As a part of this line of work, I have become intrigued by the intersections of racial and religious identity, and how those intersections may promote well-being for adolescents and emerging adults in African American and Black immigrant communities.

• Emerging Adulthood
• Psychology of Black Americans
• Psychology of Religion and Spirituality

Selected Publications:

Hope, M. O., Nguyen, A. W., Taylor, R. J., & Chatters, L. (2024). Correlates of spirituality among African American and Black Caribbean emerging adults. Religions, 15(3), 341-341. (Link)

Goodwill, J.R., & Hope, M.O. (2024). Religion and suicide in Black emerging adults: Examining pathways through hope and meaning in life. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 53, 1119-1133. (Link)

Ross, J. M., Hope, M. O., & Volpe, V. V. (2023). Intersections of racial/ethnic and religious identities on bodily well-being for Black college-attending emerging adults. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. (Link)

Leath, S., Hope, M. O., Palmer, G. J., & Rose, T. (2022). Religious socialization and self-definition among Black undergraduate women attending predominantly white institutions. Emerging Adulthood, 10(4), 859-875. (Link)

Hope, M.O., Taggart, T., Galbraith-Gyan, K.V., & Nyhan, K. (2020). Black Caribbean emerging adults and religiosity: A systematic review of religious influences on health outcomes. Journal of Religion & Health, 59(1), 431-451. (Link)

Hope, M.O., & Buhs, E. (2020). Contributions of peer victimization, school attachment, and religious engagement to early adolescents’ adjustment outcomes. Psychology of Religion & Spirituality, 12(3), 334-344.

Hope, M.O., Taggart, T., Galbraith-Gyan, K.V., & Nyhan, K. (2020). Black Caribbean emerging adults and religiosity: A systematic review of religious influences on health outcomes. Journal of Religion & Health, 59(1), 431-451.

Hope, M.O., Lee, D.B., Hsieh, H-F., Hurd, N., Sparks, H.L.*, & Zimmerman, M.A. (2019). Violence exposure and sexual risk behavior: Contributions of natural mentorship and religious involvement. American Journal of Community Psychology, 64(1-2), 242-255.

Hope, M.O., Taylor, R.J., Nguyen, A.W., & Chatters, L.M. (2019). Church support among African American and Black Caribbean adolescents. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 28(11), 3037-3050.

Hope, M.O., Assari, S., Cole-Lewis, Y., & Caldwell, C.H. (2017). Religious social support, discrimination, and psychiatric disorder of Black adolescents. Race & Social Problems, 9(2), 102-114