An Item Response Theory Analysis of the Children’s Hope Scale

Abstract

Objective: Studies in positive psychology have shown that the concept of hope is significantly related to resilience, optimism, happiness, self-esteem, and general well-being in young people. However, few measurement tools are available to measure levels of hope in children. This study uses item response methodology to examine the psychometric properties of the Children’s Hope Scale (CHS). Method: Data were collected from 3,288 7th-grade students in several large school districts in an urban Ohio county. Statistical and graphical methods derived from item response theory were used to examine the relationship of items on the CHS to the underlying concept of hope. Results: Findings suggest that the CHS is an accurate measure of hope. Items in individual scales were substantively related to the hope construct. Further, item parameters produced reliable estimates of hope scores across a hope continuum. Conclusions: The CHS may be a useful measurement and clinical assessment tool for social workers and other professionals. Additional research is needed to examine the utility of the CHS for older age groups and to explore differences by gender, race, and socioeconomic status.

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