Spanish Translation of the Children's Hope Scale Using Quantitative Methods for Verifying Semantic Equivalence

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to translate the Children's Hope Scale (CHS) from English to Spanish using quantitative methods in order to verify semantic equivalence of the adapted measure. The study utilized bilingual, English and Spanish-speaking children between the ages of 8 and 16 from different school districts across Kansas (N=161). Results indicated semantic equivalence between the English and the Spanish Children's Hope Scale. The creation of a linguistically and culturally competent scale will increase the involvement of Spanish speaking children in the measure of positive psychological constructs such as hope. This study contributes to the literature on multicultural assessment competency and the procedures of translating measures from English to Spanish using quantitative methods for verifying semantic equivalence. Because of the steadily growing Spanish speaking population in the U.S., it is imperative to teach children the concept of Esperanza (Hope). By introducing to Spanish speaking children the main components of Hope (Agency thinking and Pathways thinking), a practical method to reach their goals and aspirations in life can also be introduced.