Reliability and Validity of the Korean Version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale / 신경정신의학

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) is a 20-item scale for measuring the extent of negative attitudes about the future. Previous studies repeatedly demonstrated clinical utility of BHS, particularly for predicting suicide. The aim of this study is to examine the reliability and validity of the Korean version of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (K-BHS), which is commonly used for measuring hopelessness. METHODS: The study sample consisted of 1022 community-dwelling general adults from 4 regional areas (i.e., Seoul, Gyeonggi, Cheongju, and Jinju) across South Korea. They completed the K-BHS, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha value for the K-BHS was 0.85. Test-retest reliability at average 7.2 days was 0.86. Discriminant validity was determined. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a three factor model. CONCLUSION: The K-BHS demonstrated satisfactory reliability and validity and therefore may be useful in measuring the construct of hopelessness and in clinical suicide risk assessments. Further studies are needed in order to explore the psychometric features and correlates of this scale among clinical populations.