Dear diary: Evaluating a goal-oriented intervention linked with increased hope and cognitive flexibility

Abstract Goal reflection can have a beneficial impact on hope and cognitive flexibility, potentially via processes proposed under the Broaden and Build Hypothesis (BBH). In the present study, a novel goal-oriented intervention was developed to explore its efficacy in improving state and trait hope, affect, and cognitive flexibility. Using a convergent mixed methods approach, 44 participants completed a seven-day diary intervention, recording/reflecting on goals daily, in addition to questionnaire and cognitive fluency measures pre- and post- intervention. The intervention elicited increased levels of state hope, trait agency, and task fluency with converging evidence from quantitative/qualitative data. These results suggest a dynamic interrelation between hope and cognitive flexibility.