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Children's Hopelessness Scale (HSC)

Children's Hopelessness Scale (HSC) Test

Understand a teen’s outlook on the future in about 4 minutes. A quick 17 item screen that flags negative expectations early to guide timely support and follow up.

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Questions: 174 minutes

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08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27250 views

3354 completions

2950 likes

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How the Scales are Structured

example score

6/8

Positive Attitude (PA)

Measures the adolescent's degree of optimism and constructive expectations about the future.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 2: Low | 3 – 5: Moderate | 6 – 8: High

A score of 6 falls in the High range, suggesting a generally optimistic outlook and a tendency to approach future challenges constructively.

example score

2/9

Negative Attitude (NA)

Measures the extent of negative expectations and pessimistic attitudes about present and future life in adolescents.

Low

Moderate

High

0 – 2: Low | 3 – 5: Moderate | 6 – 9: High

A score of 2 falls in the Low range, suggesting relatively few negative future expectations on this scale.

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DATA-BASED USER COHORTS

Who Usually Takes This Test?

Teens feeling down

46%OF USERS

Adolescents who notice persistent sadness, stress, or low motivation take it to understand how hopeful they feel about the future.

Students in school screening

34%OF USERS

Middle and high school students complete it during routine check-ins to flag those who may need extra emotional support.

Youth in counseling

20%OF USERS

Teens already meeting with a counselor or psychologist take it to track negative expectations and guide next steps.

BASED ON AGGREGATED, ANONYMIZED DATA FROM TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FREUDLY USERS.

RESULTS YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE

What You’ll See After You Finish the Test

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale, translated into plain, usable insights. Not just numbers, but what they actually mean for your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

A structured, clinically grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation — without alarmist language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how you compare to others. Your scores are placed in a statistical context, showing percentiles and trends based on anonymized platform data to help you understand what`s typical.

Practical
Recommendations

Actionable guidance tailored to your profile. Receive clear, realistic suggestions you can apply immediately — focused on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Detected
Insights

Key patterns you might not notice on your own. Surfacing subtle connections in your responses that help you better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Psychologist

Clarify, reflect, and explore right away. Talk through your outcomes, ask questions, and explore meanings in a calm, non-diagnostic dialogue environment.

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Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you finish the test, your results will be compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of the benchmarks we use to place your score in context.

Positive mindset (Pm)

Average

5.7

Normal range

4.4 — 7.1

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

Negative Attitude (NA)

Average

2.8

Normal range

1.2 — 4.5

min.

max.

majority

This curve shows how scores are typically distributed.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear here so you can see where you land.

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CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Any questions left?

What does this questionnaire measure?

It measures negative expectations about the future. Higher scores indicate more hopelessness, which can be associated with depression risk and suicidal thoughts.

Who is this questionnaire intended for?

It is intended for adolescents ages 12–18. It may be used in school, clinical, or research settings.

How long does it take and how many items are included?

It includes 17 statements and typically takes about 4 minutes to complete. It is designed for brief screening.

How should responses be completed?

Each statement should be answered based on typical thoughts and feelings, not a single unusual day. Responses should be given without overthinking or trying to give a preferred answer.

How should results be used?

Results support screening and should be interpreted by a qualified professional in context. Elevated scores suggest the need for follow-up assessment and appropriate support.

WHAT THE TEST MEASURES

About This Assessment

Children's Hopelessness Scale (HSC) Test

hopelessness suicidal risk

This measure is used to assess pessimistic expectations about the future in youth; the Children's Hopelessness Scale (HSC) is commonly administered as a brief screening tool in clinical, school, and research settings. It was developed by Maria Kovacs and is conceptually derived from broader hopelessness frameworks adapted for children and adolescents.

The instrument consists of 17 items and typically takes about 4 minutes to complete. It yields an index of negative future outlook that may be clinically relevant when considered alongside other assessment data, particularly in evaluations where depressive symptoms or self-harm risk are concerns. Interpretation should be integrated with clinical interview findings and appropriate follow-up when elevated scores are observed on the Children's Hopelessness Scale (HSC).

Author: aaron-t-beck, Maria Kovacs

Literature: Kazdin, A. E., French, N. H., Unis, A. S., Esveldt-Dawson, K., & Sherick, R. B. Hopelessness, depression, and suicidal intent among psychiatrically disturbed inpatient children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 1983.

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