The Weight Management Hope Scale: Initial Validation of a Measure to Assess Goal-Directed Thinking in Obesity...

Hope is a cognitive-motivational construct associated with improved goal performance, yet it has been understudied in the domain of weight management. This study developed the Weight Management Hope Scale (WMHS) and evaluated its psychometric properties.

WMHS items were developed and underwent expert review to assess content validity. A sample of 395 U.S. adults with current or former obesity and active weight loss or maintenance goals completed a cross-sectional survey including the WMHS and other validation measures. Exploratory factor analyses assessed dimensionality and guided item reduction. Internal consistency was evaluated through Cronbach alpha. Convergent and criterion validity were assessed through bivariate correlations, and incremental validity through hierarchical linear regression models.

Exploratory factor analysis supported a two-factor structure. The final 6-item WMHS demonstrated good internal consistency (α = 0.79) and correlated with dispositional hope (r = 0.50), weight loss self-efficacy (r = 0.62), and goal commitment (r = 0.50), supporting convergent validity. Criterion validity was evidenced by negative associations with BMI (r _s  = -0.24, p < 0.001) and lifetime weight loss attempts (r _s  = -0.14, p = 0.006); WMHS scores were also positively associated with percent weight loss from lifetime maximum weight (r _s  = 0.21, p < 0.001). WMHS scores accounted for unique variance in BMI beyond dispositional hope, weight loss self-efficacy, and goal commitment (ΔR = 0.01 to 0.03, all p < 0.05), demonstrating incremental validity.

The WMHS is a brief, reliable, and valid measure of weight management hope. It holds promise for use in weight management research and practice, where understanding goal-directed thinking is critical for supporting sustained engagement and tailoring support.