Herth Hope Index (HHI)

Description

The Herth Hope Index (HHI) is a 12-item self-report instrument that measures hope. It was developed by Peggy Herth in 1992 and has been used in a variety of settings, including clinical practice, research, and education.

Definition

Hope is defined as “a multidimensional life force characterized by a confident yet uncertain expectation of achieving a future good which the hoping person considers to be personally significant” (Herth, 1992, p. 129).

History

The concept of hope has been a topic of interest for philosophers and theologians for centuries. In the field of psychology, hope has been studied by a number of researchers, including Peggy Herth. Herth developed the HHI in 1992 based on her conceptualization of hope as a multidimensional construct.

Characteristics

The HHI measures hope along three dimensions:

• Temporality and future: This dimension assesses the individual’s belief in the future and their ability to set and achieve goals.
• Positive readiness and expectancy: This dimension assesses the individual’s sense of optimism and their belief in their ability to overcome challenges.
• Interconnectedness: This dimension assesses the individual’s sense of connection to others and their belief in the power of relationships.

The HHI has been shown to be a reliable and valid measure of hope. It has been used in a variety of settings, including clinical practice, research, and education.

References

• Herth, P. (1992). Hope as a nursing construct: Renewing the spirit of care. Nursing Science Quarterly, 5, 129-135.
• Herth, P. (2000). Measuring hope: Development of the Herth Hope Index. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 32, 309-315.
• Snyder, C. R., Sympson, S. C., Ybasco, F. C., Borders, T., & Higgins, R. L. (1996). Development and validation of the State Hope Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70, 821-831.

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