The Beck Hopelessness Scale's psychometric features: A new short form based on item response theory

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 361; pp. 457 - 464
• Main Authors: Bottaro, Rossella, Faraci, Palmira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.09.2024
• Subjects: Beck Hopelessness Scale; BHS; Item response theory; Short form; Suicide orientation; Short form; BHS; Beck Hopelessness Scale; Item response theory; Suicide orientation
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.048
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517

The assessment of hopelessness plays a significant role in preventing various psychological disorders and major life events within the general population. However, the psychometric properties of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) have been a subject of controversy, primarily studied in clinical groups. The aim of the present study was to gain new psychometric insights and propose a new short version of the BHS for the general population using the Item Response Theory (IRT) approach. A total of 2164 Argentinean individuals completed the BHS alongside the Inventory of Suicide Orientation-30. We compared IRT models with two and three parameters for the original BHS version, exploring the removal of redundant and less informative items. Convergent and discriminant validity was also examined. Our results support the 2PL model for the BHS-19. In addition, the BHS-10 short version adequately depicted the same range of the measured trait as the original version, showing reasonable measurement accuracy in the middle-high levels of the trait (marginal reliability = 0.70, Cronbach's α = 0.86). Notably, a positive correlation was found between the factorial score of BHS-10, BHS-19, and suicide orientation. In conclusion, our findings support the use of a simplified version as a practical and valuable tool for both research and clinical practice in the future. •The Beck Hopelessness Scale is the most frequently utilized instrument for assessing hopelessness.•A 2PL model was the most suitable using the Item Response Theory Approach.•The BHS-10 short version showed reasonable measurement accuracy in the middle-high levels of trait.•Our findings extend the BHS application also to non-psychiatric groups.•A positive correlation was found between BHS-10 and suicide orientation.