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Evidence Based

The Science Behind Embrace

Embrace is grounded in decades of peer-reviewed research showing that hope and social support improve coping, resilience, and quality of life during serious health challenges.

Research Foundations

Hope Theory (Snyder, 1991-2002)

Hope strengthens coping, psychological adjustment, and health outcomes through agency and pathways thinking.

Social Support Theory (Cohen & Wills, 1985)

The stress-buffering hypothesis shows perceived support protects against illness-related distress.

Peer Support Research

Meta-syntheses show emotional empowerment, reduced isolation, and resilience through connection.

Research Across the Journey

Step 1: Easy Video Collection

Activate their support network. Research shows perceived social support is one of the strongest predictors of resilience during health challenges.

Citation: Holt-Lunstad, Smith, & Layton, 2010; Cohen & Wills, 1985

Step 2: Automated Reminders

Build collective hope. Each contributor adds to the pathway of support, and collective agency amplifies psychological well-being.

Citation: Snyder, 2002; Colla et al., 2022

Step 3: Seamless Video Montage

Create a tangible reminder of love. Studies show peer support reduces loneliness and strengthens resilience during treatment.

Citation: Sezgin & Bektas, 2025; Livingstone et al., 2025

Hope Theory in Practice

Hope is not just a feeling; it is a cognitive skill that can be strengthened. Embrace supports both agency and pathways thinking while reinforcing social connectedness.

  • Agency: the willpower and motivation to pursue goals, reinforced when people feel supported.
  • Pathways: the ability to find multiple routes forward, strengthened by diverse voices and encouragement.
  • We power: social connectedness that sustains hopeful adaptation over time.

Social Support: The Buffering Effect

Social support protects people from the negative effects of stress. Embrace uniquely bridges perceived support (knowing it exists) and received support (tangible evidence).

  • Emotional support: affirmations of worth, love, and care delivered through personalized videos.
  • Informational support: shared experiences and practical wisdom that reduce uncertainty.
  • Belonging support: the montage format visually reinforces community and presence.

Citation: Cohen & Wills, 1985; Wethington & Kessler, 1986; Uchino, 2009

Selected References

  • Snyder, C.R. (2002). Hope theory: Rainbows in the mind. Psychological Inquiry, 13(4), 249-275.
  • Snyder, C.R. et al. (1991). The will and the ways: Development and validation of a hope measure. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 60(4), 570-585.
  • Colla, R. et al. (2022). A dynamic systems reconceptualization of hope theory. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 809053.
  • Cohen, S. & Wills, T.A. (1985). Stress, social support, and the buffering hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98(2), 310-357.
  • Holt-Lunstad, J., Smith, T.B., & Layton, J.B. (2010). Social relationships and mortality risk: A meta-analytic review. PLoS Medicine, 7(7), e1000316.
  • Uchino, B.N. (2009). Understanding the links between social support and physical health. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(3), 236-255.
  • Sezgin, M.G. & Bektas, H. (2025). Peer support in haematologic cancer. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 41(5), 151961.
  • Livingstone, A. et al. (2025). Service features of telephone cancer information and support. Journal of Clinical Nursing.
  • Chan, S.Y. et al. (2025). Changes in hope, resilience and social support throughout chemotherapy. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 79, 102981.