Description
The SSHS consists of six statements to which respondents indicate their degree of agreement. In line with the dis-
positional focus, the SSHS contains items assessing agency (goal-directly determination) and pathways (planning of
ways to meet goals) simply reworded to reflect the immediate situation. Item response format is an 8-point scale
ranging from 1 definitely false to 8 definitely true and total scores can range from zero to 48 ( Snyder et al., 1996 ).
Sample
The SSHS was validated with a sample ( N5444) composed of introductory psychology students over the
course of 30 days. The overall mean hope scores were similar for men ( M537.24) and women ( M537.06) with
an overall average of 37.15 ( SD56.33) ( Snyder et al., 1996 ).
Reliability
Internal Consistency
Cronbach alpha coefficients range from .82 to .95 (median α5.93) ( Snyder et al., 1996 ).
Test/C0Retest
Test/C0retest reliability for the original measure has been reported at three weeks ( r5.85), eight weeks ( r5.73),
and 10 weeks ( r5.76;r5.82) ( Snyder et al., 1996 ).
Validity
Convergent/Concurrent
SSHS scores correlate positively with dispositional optimism (SHS r5.79) and high dispositional hope is pre-
dictive of high state hope on a daily basis. State hope scores also correlate with state self-esteem ( r5.68) and state
positive affect ( r5.65). State Hope Scale scores also correlate with a daily report of their evaluations of that day
(r5.51) ( Snyder et al., 1996 ).
Divergent/Discriminant
SSHS scores correlate inversely with state negative affect ( r52.47) ( Snyder et al., 1996 ).
Construct/Factor Analytic
A principal components analysis with oblique rotation yielded a two-component solution in line with Snyder
and colleagues’ (1996) two-dimensional definition of hope (agency and pathways), respectively.
Criterion/Predictive
SHS scores are predictive of the number of correct responses on a complex verbal learning task ( r5.27)
(Snyder et al., 1996 ).
Location
Snyder, C.R., Sympson, S.C., Ybasco, F.C., Borders, T.F., Babyak, M.A., & Higgins, R.L. (1996). Development
and validation of the State Hope Scale. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 70 , 321/C0335.
Results and Comments
The SSHS assesses agency and pathways to success in the moment. As such, it is a valuable alternative to mea-
suring dispositional hope and especially well-suited to assess cognitions that one can achieve a goal in the
moment. It is also brief and potentially limited in its ability to assess how individuals feel if faced with multiple
problems at the same time, for example.
SSHS-LIKE ITEMS
Directions: Read each item carefully. Using the scale
shown below, please select the number that best
describes how you think about yourself right now and
put that number in the blank provided. Please take afew moments to focus on yourself and what is going
on in your life at this moment. Once you have this
‘here and now’ set, go ahead and answer each item
according to the following scale: 1 5Definitely False;60 3. MEASURES OF HOPE AND OPTIMISM
II. EMOTIONAL DISPOSITIONS