Beck Hopelessness Survey (BHS)

The Beck Hopelessness Survey (BHS), also known as the Beck Hopelessness Scale, is a self-report questionnaire designed to assess an individual’s level of hopelessness. It is commonly used in clinical and research settings as a measure of hopelessness, a dimension of negative cognitive thinking associated with depression and suicide risk.

Definition

The Beck Hopelessness Survey is a psychometric instrument developed by Aaron T. Beck and his colleagues in 1974. It consists of 20 true/false statements that evaluate an individual’s thoughts, attitudes, and feelings related to hopelessness. The survey is designed to provide a quantitative measure of an individual’s level of hopelessness, rather than a diagnostic tool for mental health conditions.

Administration

The BHS is typically self-administered and can be completed in approximately 5 to 10 minutes. Individuals are instructed to respond to each statement with either “true” or “false,” based on the extent to which they agree or disagree with the statement. The responses are then scored, resulting in a total score between 0 and 20, with higher scores indicating greater levels of hopelessness.

Interpretation

The Beck Hopelessness Survey provides a numerical score that indicates an individual’s level of hopelessness. Research has shown that higher scores on the BHS are associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation and completed suicides. However, it is important to note that the BHS is just one tool used in conjunction with other clinical assessments to evaluate an individual’s mental health and suicide risk.

Validity and Reliability

The BHS has demonstrated good internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity. It has been widely used in research studies and clinical settings to assess hopelessness among various populations, including individuals with depression, substance abuse, and other psychiatric disorders. However, like any psychological assessment, the BHS has its limitations and should be used as part of a comprehensive evaluation process.