Assessing the Factor Structure of the Integrative Hope Scale

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Psychological Measurement

Background:

• The dimensionality of hope is debated among researchers.
• The Integrative Hope Scale (IHS) was previously found to have subscales: Trust, Future Orientation, Social Relations, and Lack of Perspective.
• Current research often uses only the total IHS score, potentially overlooking nuanced aspects of hope.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the factor structure of the Integrative Hope Scale (IHS) using confirmatory factor analysis.
• To determine the reliability and validity of IHS total and subscale scores in relation to well-being and time orientation.
• To provide recommendations for the optimal use of the IHS in research.

Main Methods:

• Confirmatory factor analysis was employed to compare one-factor, four-factor oblique, higher-order, and bifactor models of the IHS.
• Omega reliability coefficients were used for model interpretation.
• A community sample of 288 participants completed the IHS, measures of hedonic and eudemonic well-being, and a time orientation inventory.

Main Results:

• The one-factor model demonstrated the poorest fit, suggesting hope is not strictly unidimensional.
• After accounting for a general hope factor, reliable variance in subscale scores was minimal, except for the Lack of Perspective subscale.
• Both IHS total and subscale scores showed associations with measures of well-being and time orientation.

Conclusions:

• The IHS total score remains a valuable measure of hope.
• Researchers are encouraged to report IHS subscale scores, especially Lack of Perspective, for a more detailed analysis.
• Understanding the multidimensionality of hope, particularly its negative aspects, is crucial for well-being research.