The Hopelessness Scale for Children: Psychometric Properties with Normal and Emotionally Disturbed Adolescents

The psychometric properties of the Hopelessness Scale for Children (HSC) were evaluated with a sample of 834 normal adolescents & 93 suicide attempters. Support for the validity of the HSC was provided via studies with the attempter group in which correlations with depression & depressive attributional style were found. Results are discussed in terms of the utility of the HSC with adolescents and adolescent attempters & with regard to differences between child & adult samples in hopelessness.