Hope as a Mediator of Spirituality and Subjective Happiness among Chinese Christians in Hong Kong Before and During the Civil Unrest: Implications for Counselling Practices

Abstract

ABSTRACT The present study examines whether hope significantly mediates the relationship between spirituality and subjective happiness in Hong Kong Chinese Christians under a normal versus stressful social context. In Study 1(n = 1057), a mediational pathway from spirituality to subjective happiness via hope was documented. The significant mediation effect of hope was replicated in Study 2 (n = 650) in a similar sample during a territory-wide civil unrest. In both studies, hope was found to significantly mediate the relationship between the spirituality and subjective happiness. The unique contribution of hope to subjective happiness replicated across the two studies, indicating that the additional stressors and challenges associated with civil unrest did not affect the significance of the mediating effect. These results have implications for counselling practices.