Beck's Hopelessness Scale (BHS) is a 20-item, true-false self-report inventory to pick up on symptoms of hopelessness. It is widely used tool for assessing symptoms of hopelessness and at-risk of suicidal ideation, as hopelessness is known to be the gateway emotion to at risk ideations, planning, execution.
Purpose of Beck's Hopelessness Scale
The scale is designed to assess a persons hopelessness in their expectations to obtain their goals, and create the future they want. These constructs are strongly related with depression and predict suicidal risk.
Structure of Beck's Hopelessness Scale
Beck Hopelessness Scale contains 20 statements, "true" or "false" questions and answers. These items measure three major dimensions of hopelessness: Feelings about the future, Loss of motivation, Future expectations.
Scoring of Beck's Hopelessness Scale
Total score is tallied from 0 to 20.
Higher scores indicate greater levels of hopelessness.
0-3: Minimal hopelessness.
4-8: Mild hopelessness.
9-14: Moderate hopelessness.
15-20: Severe hopelessness.
References of Beck's Hopelessness Scale
Beck, A. T., Weissman, A., Lester, D., & Trexler, L. (1974). The measurement of pessimism: The Hopelessness Scale. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 42(6), 861–865.
Beck, A. T., & Steer, R. A. (1988). Manual for the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Psychological Corp.
Beck’s Hopeless Scale was developed by Beck, Aaron T. BHS, Beck Hopelessness Scale. San Antonio, Tex.: New York :Psychological Corp.; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1988.
Canada Online Therapy acknowledges the developers and original copyright holders A. T. Beck, Arlene Weissman, David Lester, Larry Trexler. Canada Online Therapy does not own the copyright and confirms that all rights belong to the respective owners. Canada Online Therapy utilizes this material in compliance with the terms and conditions provided by the copyright holder for clinical and educational purposes. Beck’s Hopelessness Scale is intended for clinical documentation and screening purposes only to assist healthcare professionals in identifying symptoms of hopelessness.
* Please note: it is not a substitute for a comprehensive diagnosis by a trained clinician.* In Canada, an official diagnosis can typically only be provided by a qualified healthcare professional such as a licensed physician, psychiatrist, or registered clinical psychologist. Registered and licensed therapists utilize these results to inform their treatment plans and advocate for their clients during the assessment process and for special purposes such as needed and presented by their clients.
This scale is only meant for Lee Park's clients. Beck's Scale for Hopelessness will be emailed to you upon completion. Thank you for choosing Canada Online Therapy.
Lee Park, RCT 25-002, MACP, BPsych Hons
Owner, Canada Online Therapy
lee(at)canadaonlinetherapy.com
canadaonlinetherapy.janeapp.com
Call/text: (514) 746 4673
Fax: (800) 808 6629
Canada Online Therapy
www.canadaonlinetherapy.com