FROM TRANSLATION TO APPLICATION: CROSS-CULTURAL VALIDATION AND PSYCHOMETRIC EVALUATION OF THE HERTH HOPE INDEX IN URDU FOR PROBATIONERS IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Probationers are a vulnerable population who often experience social stigma, uncertainty, and personal challenges in coping with the distressing aspects of life. They may feel overwhelmed by guilt, and society usually reinforces negative behavior. In such circumstances, hope can inspire positive thinking patterns, providing the strength needed for change. In such situations, hope instills the vision of optimistic thinking patterns that give the strength to change (Maruna, 2001). This current study aimed to translate and adapt the Herth Hope Index scale into Urdu. A standardized forward-backward translation procedure was employed to ensure linguistic accuracy and cultural relevance. After that, the expert reviewed the translated version, and pilot testing was done on a sample of 30 probationers. Lastly, data were collected from 500 male probationers, and a confirmatory factor analysis was run to confirm the factor structure and psychometric robustness. The composite reliability of the scale is .86, which shows the translated scale is reliable and has excellent discriminant validity, indicating its suitability for assessing hope among the probationers of South Asian countries like Pakistan.