Validation of the State-Trait Hopelessness Scale in Stroke Survivors

PURPOSE: To determine the reliability and validity of the State-Trait Hopelessness Scale (STHS) in stroke survivors. DESIGN: Three-phase validation study evaluating psychometric properties. METHODS: Content validity was assessed through expert panel review followed by cognitive interviews with stroke survivors to evaluate face validity. In phase three, psychometric testing was conducted and the STHS was compared with the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) in 95 hospitalized stroke survivors. RESULTS: Experts rated items as quite or very relevant and very clear. Cognitive interviews confirmed appropriate participant comprehension and response processes; no revisions were required. The STHS demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (State α=0.78; Trait α=0.89). Principal component analyses confirmed the scale structure. Correlation of the STHS and BHS (r=0.17-0.21) suggests related but distinct constructs for stroke survivors. CLINICAL RELEVANCE TO THE PRACTICE OF REHABILITATION NURSING: This is the first study to evaluate the reliability and validity of the STHS scale in stroke survivors. CONCLUSIONS: The STHS shows promise in identifying hopelessness in stroke survivors and its potential use to guide interventions to improve patient outcomes.