無望感是心理健康與護理實務上的重要概念，其影響層面很廣，可能導致憂鬱，提高自殺危險性，甚至威脅生命，但無望感卻仍缺乏一致性的定義。本文以Walker及Avant（1995）所描述的概念分析步驟，確立無望感的定義特徵為：(1)感到無能力解決現在的問題；(2)表現出負向的情緒，包含口頭與肢體的語言；(3)表達出對未來悲觀的看法；(4)主觀的認為無法控制未來的情況。本文並列舉無望感的典型案例、邊緣案例、相關案例及相反案例，分析無望感的前因與後果，及敘述實證性參考指標，期透過此概念分析，可有助於專業人員能更有效的運用此概念於健康照護領域。

Hopelessness is an important concept in psychology and nursing. It can result in depression, increased suicidal intention, and fatality. Hopelessness still lacks an agreed-upon definition. This paper applied the methodology outlined by Walker and Avant to analyze the concept of hopelessness. The result of the analysis indicated that the defining attributes of hopelessness included feeling inability to solve the present problem, demonstrating negative emotion through verbal and body languages, expressing pessimistic thoughts for the future, and believing unable to control future situation. The paper illustrated model, borderline, related, and contrary cases and analyzed antecedents and consequences. Empirical references were also outlined. It is hoped that this analysis can help nursing staff to effectively apply this concept to health care services.