Psychometric properties of the Beck Hopelessness Scale in Ecuadorian older adults: a comparative analysis of one-factor, two-factor, and three-factor models

Introduction Hopelessness is a predictor of depression and suicide. Suicide is a preventable cause of mortality worldwide. Although it is not among the leading overall causes of death in older adults due to the predominance of chronic non-communicable diseases, it remains an epidemiologically relevant issue in this stage of life. Globally, suicide ranked as the twenty-first leading cause of death in 2021, and approximately 16.6% of suicide-related deaths occurred among individuals aged 70 years and older. This highlights the need to assess associated psychological factors, such as hopelessness and depression, in the older adult population. Objective To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Beck Hopelessness Scale in Ecuadorian older adults by analyzing its factorial structure in one-, two-, and three-factor models, as well as its reliability and validity evidence, in order to determine the most appropriate structure for use in this population. Method The internal factorial structure, reliability, and construct validity of the Beck Hopelessness Scale were analyzed in Ecuadorian older adults. A total of 2,233 participants were assessed. Analyses were conducted for one-, two-, and three-factor variants. Reliability was examined using McDonald’s omega coefficient and Cronbach’s alpha, while validity was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis using the Weighted Least Squares Mean and Variance Adjusted (WLSMV) estimation method. Results The Beck Hopelessness Scale was evaluated in 2,233 Ecuadorian older adults (M = 74.02 years, SD = 8.96). Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated an adequate fit for the one-, two-, and three-factor structures, with the one-factor model standing out due to its greater parsimony. The scale showed high internal consistency (ω = 0.933; α = 0.909) and adequate convergent validity (average variance extracted = 0.657). Factor loadings were significant across all models, supporting the relevance of the items for measuring hopelessness, although items D16 and D17 showed comparatively lower performance. Conclusion Overall, the findings support the validity and reliability of the scale for assessing hopelessness in Ecuadorian older adults.