Hope as a predictor of academic performance.

This study was designed to assess whether the two subscales of the Hope Scale significantly predict semester grade point average (GPA), over and above American College Test (ACT) scores and Trait Anxiety (Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.) The Hope Scale includes two subscales, goal-directed determinism (Agency) and the ability to plan ways to attain goals (Pathway). As predicated, scores on the Hope Scale correlated significantly with semester GPA. Scores on the Agency subscale correlated positively with semester GPA in this college sample, but not those on the Pathways subscale. Partial correlations retained the association of scores on the Agency subscale and GPA, even when intelligence (ACT scores) and anxiety (Trait Anxiety scores) were controlled. Implications are discussed.