RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to meta-analyze the relationships of major concepts, which were made by synthesizing similar explanatory variables into more comprehensive concepts, to hope. METHOD: The relevant researches from Jan 1980 to Dec 2003, performed in adults or adult patients, were collected. Using the SAS program, meta-analysis were done with the input data of the number of subjects, the correlation coefficients provided from most of the studies or a few transformed correlation coefficients from F value. In order to get the analysis to be done in homogeneous status of the data regarding each relationship of each major concept to hope (p>0.05), heterogeneous data were eliminated in repeating Q-test. RESULT: The major variable regarding relationship to self/transcendental being/life (spiritual wellbeing & self esteem) and social support (social support & family support) have very large positive effects on hope (D=1.72, D=1.27). The negative effect of the variable regarding captive state(uncertainty in illness, perceived unhealthiness status, & fatigue) and positive effect of coping (approach coping) on hope are in the level between moderate to large (D=-0.61, D=0.78). All the effects of the major concepts on hope were verified as significant statistically(p=.000). The Fail-Safe numbers showed the significant effects of the three major concepts except coping on hope were reliable. CONCLUSION: The results can be a guide to advance hope theory for nursing.