A quick, evidence-based questionnaire that gauges expectations about the future and feelings of hopelessness.

  • Answer based on how you have felt during the past week.
  • Most people finish in < 3 minutes.
  • Choose the option that best reflects you—there are no right or wrong answers.
  • You can revisit any item using the list on the right before finishing.
  • Your responses stay on this device and are never uploaded.
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Your BHS Result
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Scores range from 0 – 20; higher numbers indicate greater hopelessness.

This screen does not diagnose depression or suicidality. If feelings of hopelessness worry you, please speak with a qualified mental-health professional.

Your Answers
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Categories: Assessment , Health & Fitness , Psychology
Export to PDF Fullscreen

The Beck Hopelessness Scale evaluates how strongly you anticipate negative life outcomes. Long-term studies link elevated hopelessness to greater depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and lowered goal engagement. By judging twenty everyday statements as “True” or “False,” you capture a seven-day snapshot of future-focused thinking and emotional tone.

Items span personal agency, perceived barriers, and outlook. Responses expressing pessimism score one point, while positively phrased items are reverse-scored. Summing all points yields a number from 0 to 20 that falls into minimal, mild, moderate, or severe bands. Professionals rely on the measure to monitor distress and guide interventions.

Use this private check-in after challenging events or before seeking support. Results offer personal insight only; always consult a qualified professional if you record high scores, experience persistent despair, or feel unsafe. Results do not constitute a clinical diagnosis.

Technical Details:

Hopelessness is operationalised as the total count of pessimistic cognitions expressed across twenty dichotomous items. Each item contributes 0 or 1, producing an integer between 0 and 20.

The scoring logic is fully client-side, ensuring immediate feedback without transmitting data.

  • Ten items are reverse-scored to offset optimistic wording.
  • True pessimistic statements add one point; false add zero.
  • Reverse items flip the assignment (true = 0, false = 1).
  • Total score feeds both text feedback and a semicircular gauge.
Score BandInterpretation
0 – 3Minimal hopelessness
4 – 8Mild hopelessness
9 – 14Moderate hopelessness
15 – 20Severe hopelessness

All calculations run locally, so no responses leave your browser.

Calculations & Scoring:

The scale uses one calculation: a reverse-aware sum that determines your total score and severity band.

Total score equals the sum of 20 item scores.

sraw3=True
sraw3=1 Responses marked “True” receive 1; “False” receive 0.

sraw6=1
srev6=0 Ten positively worded items invert scores so optimism subtracts rather than adds.

S=∑i1si
S=12 Adding the 20 adjusted values produces the final hopelessness score.

Your sample responses yield a score of 12, classed as moderate hopelessness.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Follow these steps to complete the assessment confidently.

  1. Press the Start Assessment button.
  2. Read each statement and choose True or False.
  3. Watch the progress bar reach 100 % as you answer.
  4. Select any item in the question list to review or edit.
  5. After all 20 items are answered, view your score and coloured gauge.
  6. Save or print the results page if you plan to discuss it with a professional.

FAQ:

Common questions about the hopelessness assessment.

Is my data stored?

All responses are processed locally and never leave your device. Closing the page clears your answers unless you deliberately save the link containing encoded data.

What does my score mean?

Scores below 4 suggest minimal hopelessness, while numbers above 14 indicate severe concern. Use the band descriptions for context, not diagnosis.

Can I retake the scale?

Yes. You may revisit weekly to track mood changes. Ensure at least a few days have passed to avoid recalling earlier choices.

Is this a diagnostic tool?

No. The scale screens feelings of hopelessness but cannot replace a clinical interview. Seek professional evaluation for persistent distress.

Why only True/False options?

The original scale was validated with dichotomous answers to simplify scoring and improve reliability across diverse groups.

Troubleshooting:

If something does not work as expected, try these solutions.

  • Progress bar stuck below 100 % — check that every item shows a green tick in the list.
  • Gauge not visible — refresh the page; older browsers may block the charting layer.
  • Feeling overwhelmed after scoring — contact a mental-health professional or emergency services immediately.
  • Accidentally closed the page — reopen the bookmarked link containing your encoded answers.
  • Printing cuts off the chart — switch to landscape orientation or scale the page to 90 %.

Advanced Tips:

Enhance interpretation and record-keeping with these expert pointers.

  • Journal key life events alongside scores to spot patterns.
  • Combine results with mood trackers for richer context.
  • Export the encoded link to share anonymously with your therapist.
  • Repeat after interventions to gauge treatment response.
  • Use different devices to confirm consistent scoring.

Glossary:

Key terms used throughout the assessment.

Hopelessness
Expectation that desired outcomes will not occur.
Reverse-scored
Item where agreement lowers the total score.
Severity band
Category grouping scores into risk levels.
Dichotomous
Having only two possible response options.
Screening
Quick check to flag potential concerns.
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