Individual Differences Research

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Individual Differences Research > Volume 23 (2025) > e23003

Creativity, Hope, and Coping: Cognitive and Motivational Pathways to Adaptive Stress Responses

Kathryn E. Kelly

Abstract

Creativity involves cognitive flexibility, intrinsic motivation, and the capacity to generate novel, useful ideas. This study examined relationships among creativity, hope, and coping strategies in 140 undergraduates who completed the Scale of Creative Attributes and Behavior, Adult Hope Scale, and Brief COPE Inventory. Correlational and mediation analyses tested whether hope mediates the link between creativity and coping. Creativity was positively associated with adaptive coping and hope, and hope was positively related to adaptive coping. Bootstrapped mediation showed that hope partially mediated the creativity–adaptive coping relationship, suggesting motivational processes help translate creative potential into constructive stress responses. Creativity was unrelated to maladaptive coping. Findings highlight creativity as a cognitive resource that fosters adaptive coping through hope, with implications for interventions promoting resilience and well-being.

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Published

October 17, 2025

Keywords

Creativity;

Coping strategies;

Hope;

Adaptive coping;

Maladaptive coping;

Resilience; Motivation