Validation of the Children’s Hope Scale in a Sample of South African Adolescents

The aim of this study was to examine the validity of the Children’s Hope Scale (CHS) (Snyder et al. 1997) among South African adolescents. Participants (n = 1062) in the greater Johannesburg area completed the CHS as well as measures of psychological well-being, coping self-efficacy, positive affect and negative affect. The CHS total score showed satisfactory reliability for research purposes (Cronbach’s α = .73). Criterion related validity was demonstrated as evident from statistically significant correlations between the CHS, its subscales (agency and pathways) and the criterion measures. Snyder’s two-factor model of hope was supported through confirmatory factor analysis. In accord with previous studies, results showed that item 5 loaded the pathways factor rather than the hypothesized agency factor. The results indicate that the CHS has satisfactory psychometric properties and can be implemented as measure of hope among South African adolescents using the total score rather than interpreting the subscale scores. The findings extend the application and measurement of constructs from the field of positive psychology to the African context.