Validation and use of the Children’s Hope Scale-Revised PTPB Edition (CHS-PTPB): High Initial Youth Hope and Elevated Baseline Symptomatology Predict Poor Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

The present study examined the relationship between initial youth hope, measured within the first 4 weeks of mental health treatment, and treatment progress over time (self-, caregiver-, and clinician-report of symptom severity) in a clinical sample of youth ages 11-18 years (N = 356). The psychometric properties of the CHS-PTPB, a revised version of the Children's Hope Scale, are also presented. Results indicate the CHS-PTPB is a psychometrically sound measure for use in this population. Additionally, results found that while higher levels of hope were associated with lower levels of symptom severity at baseline, initial level of hope was not significantly related to symptom improvement over time as reported by the youth and caregiver. Surprisingly, higher initial hope predicted slower treatment progress as rated by clinicians. According to clinician-rated symptom severity, youth with high initial hope and high baseline symptom severity show the poorest predicted clinical outcome. Implications, future directions, and limitations of the study are discussed.

A naturalistic study of the effects of synchronous online chat counselling on young people's psychological distress, life satisfaction and hope

“…This was unexpected and may be due to measurement issues or reflect real differences for young people in the online environment. A weak correlation has previously been found between the Children's Hope Scale and the Treatment Outcome Expectations Scale with young face-to-face clients (Dew-Reeves et al, 2012), suggesting that hope and expectations may be distinct constructs as argued by Leung et al (2009).…”

“…This was mirrored by low life satisfaction scores, with all means below the scale midpoint (Athay, ). Pre‐session hope scores were also low, below the scale midpoint (Dew‐Reeves et al., ). In contrast, treatment expectations were generally high, above the scale's midpoint (Dew‐Reeves & Athay, ).…”

“…The scale's internal consistency estimate for this study was a = .74. The Children's Hope Scale measured ability to generate paths to and persevere towards goals (Dew-Reeves, Athay & Kelley, 2012). The scale has previously been used with young people aged 11-18 years and was deemed more suitable for this sample than the adult version that has only been used with those aged 18 years and over (Snyder, 2002).…”

Brief Multidimensional Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale—PTPB Version (BMSLSS-PTPB): Psychometric Properties and Relationship with Mental Health Symptom Severity Over Time

“…The CHS-PTPB demonstrates adequate psychometric properties including internal consistency of α = 0.84. For more information on the CHS-PTPB, see Dew-Reeves, Athay, and Kelley (2012) in this issue.…”

The Peabody Treatment Progress Battery: History and Methods for Developing a Comprehensive Measurement Battery for Youth Mental Health

“…Adapted from Snyder et al’s Children’s Hope Scale (CHS; 1997) the CHS-PTPB provides an overall score of youth hope, and can be administered at baseline, throughout treatment, and at discharge. See Dew-Reeves, Athay, and Kelley (2012) in this issue for more information on the CHS-PTPB.…”