Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sample
Abstract Background The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) has been the most frequently used instrument for the measurement of hopelessness in the past 40 years. Only recently has it officially been translated into German. The psychometric properties and factor structure of the BHS have been cause for in...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2018-04-01
|
| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-018-1646-6 |
| _version_ | 1811234766982217728 |
|---|---|
| author | Sören Kliem Anna Lohmann Thomas Mößle Elmar Brähler |
| author_facet | Sören Kliem Anna Lohmann Thomas Mößle Elmar Brähler |
| author_sort | Sören Kliem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) has been the most frequently used instrument for the measurement of hopelessness in the past 40 years. Only recently has it officially been translated into German. The psychometric properties and factor structure of the BHS have been cause for intensive debate in the past. Methods Based on a representative sample of the German population (N = 2450) item analysis including item sensitivity, item-total correlation and item difficulty was performed. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) for several factor solutions from the literature were performed. Multiple group factor analysis was performed to assess measurement invariance. Construct validity was assessed via the replication of well-established correlations with concurrently assessed measures. Results Most items exhibited adequate properties. Items #4, #8 and #13 exhibited poor item characteristics– each of these items had previously received negative evaluations in international studies. A one-dimensional factor solution, favorable for the calculation and interpretation of a sum score, was regarded as adequate. A bi-factor model with one content factor and two method factors (defined by positive/negative item coding) resulted in an excellent model fit. Cronbach’s alpha in the current sample was .87. Hopelessness, as measured by the BHS, significantly correlated in the expected direction with suicidal ideation (r = .36), depression (r = .53) and life satisfaction (r = −.53). Strict measurement invariance could be established regarding gender and depression status. Due to limited research regarding the interpretation of fit indices with dichotomous data, interpretation of CFA results needs to remain tentative. Conclusion The BHS is a valid measure of hopelessness in various subgroups of the general population. Future research could aim at replicating these findings using item response theory and cross-cultural samples. A one-dimensional bi-factor model seems appropriate even in a non-clinical population. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T11:41:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bb048d6cc70249dabb2f8b140d7793d8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-244X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T11:41:08Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-bb048d6cc70249dabb2f8b140d7793d82022-12-22T03:34:37ZengBMCBMC Psychiatry1471-244X2018-04-0118111110.1186/s12888-018-1646-6Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sampleSören Kliem0Anna Lohmann1Thomas Mößle2Elmar Brähler3Criminological Research Institute of Lower SaxonyCriminological Research Institute of Lower SaxonyState Police College of Baden-WuerttembergDepartment of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University of MainzAbstract Background The Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) has been the most frequently used instrument for the measurement of hopelessness in the past 40 years. Only recently has it officially been translated into German. The psychometric properties and factor structure of the BHS have been cause for intensive debate in the past. Methods Based on a representative sample of the German population (N = 2450) item analysis including item sensitivity, item-total correlation and item difficulty was performed. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) for several factor solutions from the literature were performed. Multiple group factor analysis was performed to assess measurement invariance. Construct validity was assessed via the replication of well-established correlations with concurrently assessed measures. Results Most items exhibited adequate properties. Items #4, #8 and #13 exhibited poor item characteristics– each of these items had previously received negative evaluations in international studies. A one-dimensional factor solution, favorable for the calculation and interpretation of a sum score, was regarded as adequate. A bi-factor model with one content factor and two method factors (defined by positive/negative item coding) resulted in an excellent model fit. Cronbach’s alpha in the current sample was .87. Hopelessness, as measured by the BHS, significantly correlated in the expected direction with suicidal ideation (r = .36), depression (r = .53) and life satisfaction (r = −.53). Strict measurement invariance could be established regarding gender and depression status. Due to limited research regarding the interpretation of fit indices with dichotomous data, interpretation of CFA results needs to remain tentative. Conclusion The BHS is a valid measure of hopelessness in various subgroups of the general population. Future research could aim at replicating these findings using item response theory and cross-cultural samples. A one-dimensional bi-factor model seems appropriate even in a non-clinical population.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-018-1646-6Beck hopelessness scale (BHS)HopelessnessPopulation sampleMeasurement invariancePsychometric analysisConfirmatory factor analysis (CFA) |
| spellingShingle | Sören Kliem Anna Lohmann Thomas Mößle Elmar Brähler Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sample BMC Psychiatry Beck hopelessness scale (BHS) Hopelessness Population sample Measurement invariance Psychometric analysis Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) |
| title | Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sample |
| title_full | Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sample |
| title_fullStr | Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sample |
| title_full_unstemmed | Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sample |
| title_short | Psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the Beck hopelessness scale (BHS): results from a German representative population sample |
| title_sort | psychometric properties and measurement invariance of the beck hopelessness scale bhs results from a german representative population sample |
| topic | Beck hopelessness scale (BHS) Hopelessness Population sample Measurement invariance Psychometric analysis Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12888-018-1646-6 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sorenkliem psychometricpropertiesandmeasurementinvarianceofthebeckhopelessnessscalebhsresultsfromagermanrepresentativepopulationsample AT annalohmann psychometricpropertiesandmeasurementinvarianceofthebeckhopelessnessscalebhsresultsfromagermanrepresentativepopulationsample AT thomasmoßle psychometricpropertiesandmeasurementinvarianceofthebeckhopelessnessscalebhsresultsfromagermanrepresentativepopulationsample AT elmarbrahler psychometricpropertiesandmeasurementinvarianceofthebeckhopelessnessscalebhsresultsfromagermanrepresentativepopulationsample |