Older adults with coronary heart disease (CHD) express hope differently from the general population due to disease progression, physiological decline, and changing social roles. However, hope assessment in China lacks culturally validated tools for this group. This study translated and culturally adapted the Adult Dispositional Hope Scale (ADHS) into Chinese and evaluated its reliability and validity in older adults with CHD. The ADHS was translated using the Brislin model. Psychometric properties were evaluated in 473 older adults with CHD recruited via convenience sampling across three rounds. The Chinese ADHS comprises 12 items across two dimensions, featuring four non-scored distractor items. Item analysis demonstrated significant inter-group discrimination between high/low scorers (P < 0.001) and robust item-total correlations (P < 0.001), hence affirming discriminant validity. Reliability analyses demonstrated internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.923; split-half reliability = 0.933) and composite reliability meeting thresholds for pathways thinking and agency thinking dimensions. High test-retest r = 0.951, (2-week interval) indicated measurement stability. The content validity was robust (scale-level CVI = 0.938; item-level I-CVI range = 0.786–1.000). Exploratory factor analysis identified two factors that accounted for 78.406% cumulative variance. Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated satisfactory model fit (CFI = 0.951, RMSEA = 0.084), supporting structural validity. Convergent validity was evidenced by strong positive correlations with the Herth Hope Index (r = 0.907, P < 0.001), whereas discriminant validity was established via negative correlations with the Geriatric Depression Scale (r = − 0.832, P < 0.001). The Chinese ADHS is a reliable and valid tool for assessing hope in older Chinese CHD adults. However, generalizability is limited by sample homogeneity and contextual factors. Further validation in broader populations is needed.
Cheng et al. (Mon,) studied this question.