An evaluation of factor structure and measurement invariance of the Interpersonal Hopelessness Scale

Introduction: The interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide (ITS) posits that suicidal ideation emerges when an individual feels an intractable hopelessness around the perception they are a burden to others and feels as though they are not connected with others. The Interpersonal Hopelessness Scale (IHS) was developed to assess these constructs of the ITS. To better understand how groups experience interpersonal hopelessness, this study sought to extend prior psychometric evaluations of the IHS. First, this study sought to identify the bestfit factor structure of the IHS. Once established, measurement invariance was conducted across gender (cisgender men and women) and race (non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White participants). Measurement invariant groups were compared to evaluate whether IHS ratings differed. Method: This investigation evaluated the psychometrics of the IHS among 1,881 college students. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted to evaluate the factor structure of the IHS. Once established, multigroup CFAs were conducted comparing groups. Latent group mean differences were compared between measurement invariant subgroups. Additional tests of reliability and validity were conducted. Results: Results supported measurement invariance of a two-factor model by race and gender. No differences between latent group means were found. Additionally, the IHS was found to have strong internal consistency, good concurrent validity and was predictive of future suicidal ideation even when accounting for related constructs. Discussion: The IHS is a psychometrically sound tool which assesses interpersonal hopelessness. Moreover, measurement invariance results indicate the IHS may be a viable tool to evaluate these constructs among select demographic groups.