Hope Among Finnish Nurses: A Psychometric Evaluation of the Herth Hope Index-Finnish Version

Background and Purpose: This study describes the level of hope among nurses in Finland and validates the Finnish version of the Herth Hope Index (HHI-FI). Methods: The survey included 180 nurses, using the HHI-FI, Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the EUROpean Health Interview Survey Eight-Item (EUROHIS-8) Quality of Life Index. The validation process involved content validity index, Spearman's correlation, Cronbach's alpha, and confirmatory factor analysis using several model fit indices. Results: Nurses' average HHI-FI score was 37. The HHI-FI showed a negative correlation with BHS (r = -.689) and a positive correlation with EUROHIS-8 (r = .694). Internal consistency was high (Cronbach's alpha = .868). Both one-factor and three-factor models fit reasonably well, but further investigation is needed. Conclusions: Understanding nurses' hope can enhance job satisfaction and commitment. The HHI-FI instrument is useful for studying hope in nurses, although its internal structure requires further exploration in Finland.