Hopelessness Scale for Children – HSC
Measures a child's negative expectations toward themselves and the future.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Hopelessness Scale for Children – HSC was developed by Alan E. Kazdin, Nancy H. French, Alan S. Unis, Karen Esveldt-Dawson, & Rosanna B. Sherick (1983). It is designed to measure Hopelessness. The scale is intended for use with Children aged 8 to 13 years.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 17 items.
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a dichotomous Yes/No format.
The scale includes 8 reverse-scored items to reduce acquiescence bias.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 17. Interpretation guidelines:
- Low Hopelessness: 0 – 8
- High Hopelessness: 9 – 17
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.