Factor structure of the Dispositional Hope Scale amongst South Africans: An exploratory structural equation modelling study

Abstract

Snyder’s model of hope conceptualises and operationalises hope as a cognitive, trait-like bi-dimensional future-oriented construct consisting of pathways thinking and agency thinking for goal achievement. The present study implemented exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the Dispositional Hope Scale, using data from two South African student samples (n = 383, 48% female, 21.70 years average age and n = 251, 68% female, 20.55 years average age), with the aim to examine its factor structure in an African context. The results showed that a six item unidimensional solution of hope fit the data best. This model characterises hope as the ability to make plans, informed by past experiences and to spontaneously manoeuvre around obstacles as any situation may call for it. This finding has implications for the measurement of hope and development of emic operational models in an African context.

Hope that Benefits Others: A Systematic Literature Review of Hope Theory and Prosocial Outcomes

“…Furthermore, when first validating the Hope Scale, Snyder et al (1991) solely used American participants, limiting the validity of its application to other parts of the world. Khumalo and Guse (2022) examined hope within the socio-cultural context of South African samples and also underscored the importance of emphasizing one's environment on the development and expression of hope. With these two barriers to the application of Hope Theory beyond individual-focused cultures, it is unsurprising that this review found only one study from outside the Western world (Wang & Lei, 2021).…”

Looking inward: Reflections on the African Journal of Psychological Assessment and the way forward

“…Similarly, Khumalo and Guse (2022) explored the psychometric properties of the Dispositional Hope Scale (DHS) among university students in South Africa, arguing that hope is associated with several positive mental health outcomes for students and that a scale like the DHS could be used in interventions to enhance hope and consequently improve mental health for students. Interestingly, the study did not find support for the factor structure of the DHS and the model of hope on which it is based.…”