Problem: U.S. Latino youths experience disproportionately high rates of health and social problems. There is a need to identify protective factors for reducing risky behaviors. Little is known about the protective nature of hope among immigrant Latino adolescents. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study examined hope and expectations for the future in non-U.S.-born Latino adolescents and young adults (n = 98) in urban and rural areas in the midwestern United States. Findings: Participants reported feeling hopeful about their future; however, differences were detected among subgroups. Conclusion: Findings affirm the potential of hope as a protective factor for immigrant Latino adolescents and young adults. Nurses should be aware of hopefulness when implementing mental health preventive interventions. Research is needed to identify effectivemechanisms for promoting and sustaining hope. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Latino Immigrant Future thinking Adolescent Mental health Young adult Hope

urban population psychological aspect Emotions human rural population ethnology Hispanic Americans Cross-Sectional Studies United States Young Adult cross-sectional study Humans Hispanic Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female Article emotion adult migration Midwestern United States