Confirmatory factor analysis and psychometric properties of the Beck Hopelessness Scale in students in contexts of poverty in Mexico

Abstract

Hopelessness predicts depression and suicide. In the world, suicide is the second cause of death in people between 15 and 29 years, and depression is the main cause of disability. The internal factorial structure, reliability and construct validity of the Hopelessness Scale were analyzed in upper secondary and higher education students in contexts of poverty in Mexico. 771 participants were evaluated. Reliability was examined with the coefficient omega, and validity with confirmatory factor analysis with the weighted least square mean and variance adjusted method. The value of omega was .89. The confirmatory factor analysis revealed an SRMR = .07, CFI = .95, TLI = .94, RMSEA = .05. The scale is valid and reliable for students in contexts of poverty in México.