Home
Psychological tests
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.

Start Online Test

Questions: 174 minutes

Hi! My name is Freudly, i am an AI therapist, I will give you an interpretation of the test after you complete it.

08:30

October 2, 2025

October 2, 2025
Material has been updated

October 2, 2025
Material has been published

27,252 views

3,359 completions

2,950 likes

Verified by Daniel Hall

Psychologist with 25 years of experience

Scale Explorer

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.

Start Online Test

just completed the test

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

Scale Results
— Explained Clearly

Your scores across each test scale are translated into plain, usable insights. You won’t just get numbers — you’ll learn how your results impact your daily life, emotional state, and overall well-being.

AI-Powered
Interpretation

You’ll receive a structured, clinically-grounded explanation. Our AI analyzes patterns and relationships between scales to provide a coherent interpretation, without exaggerated language.

Statistical
Comparison

See how your results compare to others. Anonymized platform data is used to create a percentile scale, which identifies whether your results are typical.

Practical
Recommendations

You’ll receive clear, actionable guidance tailored to your profile. These easy-to-implement suggestions focus on coping, self-regulation, and realistic next steps.

AI-Powered
Insights

Get insights on behavioral and thought patterns you might not notice on your own. By uncovering subtle connections between your responses, you’ll better understand what may be driving your current results.

Discuss with
an AI Therapist

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

Start Online Test

Used in 52+ countries

Benchmarking

See How You Compare

Once you complete the test, your results are compared with real-world data from people in your country.
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.

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 on the scale so you can see how you compare.

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 on the scale so you can see how you compare.

Start Online Test

Featured On

CLEAR ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

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 - Symptoms and Signs

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.

Test Question Form