Further validity and reliability evidence for Beck Hopelessness Scale scores in a nonclinical sample

The psychometric properties of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) were exami ned among 544 university students. Internal consistency of scores was satis factory (Cronbach's alpha =.88). A principal-axis factor analysis with obli que rotation suggested four factors that were largely uninterpretable. Remo val of items and further analysis suggested a two-factor structure of quest ionable interpretability. Convergent validity was demonstrated by high corr elations with the Hope Scale and the Life Orientation Test (LOT). A correla tion of .57 between the BHS and perceived stress reduced to .24 when trait negative affect was controlled for, indicating a degree of discriminant uti lity. It is concluded that for normal populations, measures such as the LOT and Hope Scale are more appropriate,