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Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale
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About Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale
Scale Name
Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression Scale
Author Details
Lenore S. Radloff
Translation Availability
Multiple
Background/Description
The CES-D was designed to measure depressive symptomatology in the general population. It was initially developed as part of the Epidemiologic Catchment Area (ECA) study to assess the prevalence and incidence of mental disorders. The scale has 20 items, each representing symptoms associated with depression. The CES-D has been widely used in both clinical and research settings to identify individuals at risk for depression and to monitor changes in depressive symptoms over time. It uses a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (rarely or none of the time) to 3 (most or all of the time) based on the frequency of symptoms experienced in the past week.
Center for epidemiologic studies – depression scale (CES-D) is developed by Lenore Radloff. The CES-D scale is a brief self-report scale designed to measure self-reported symptoms associated with depression experienced in the past week. The items of the scale are symptoms associated with depression which have been used in previously validated longer scales.
The Center for Epidemiologic Studies – Depression (CES-D) scale includes twenty items comprising six scales reflecting major facets of depression: depressed mood, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, feelings of helplessness and hopelessness, psychomotor retardation, loss of appetite, and sleep disturbance.
The CES-D has been shown to be a reliable measure for assessing the number, types, and duration of depressive symptoms across racial, gender, and age categories (Knight, Williams, McGee & Olaman, 1997; Radloff, 1977; Roberts, Vernon, & Rhoades, 1989). High internal consistency has been reported with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranging from .85 to .90 across studies (Radloff, 1977).
Concurrent validity by clinical and self-report criteria, as well as substantial evidence of construct validity, has been demonstrated (Radloff, 1977). However, there is evidence that the CES-D, while a useful measure of the level of depressive symptoms, may not be a good tool for screening for clinical depression or major depression (Roberts, Vernon, & Rhoades, 1989).
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Provide the respondent with the CES-D questionnaire.
- Instruct the respondent to rate each item based on how often they have experienced the symptom in the past week.
- Ensure the respondent understands the rating scale.
- Collect and score the responses according to the provided scoring guide.
Reliability and Validity
The CES-D has demonstrated high reliability and validity across diverse populations. Its internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) is typically reported above 0.85, indicating strong reliability. Validity studies show that the CES-D correlates well with other measures of depression and can effectively distinguish between depressed and non-depressed individuals. The scale’s sensitivity to changes in depressive symptoms over time makes it a valuable tool for both clinical practice and research.
Available Versions
20-Items
Reference
Radloff, L. S. (1977). The CES-D scale: A self-report depression scale for research in the general population. Applied psychological measurement, 1(3), 385-401.
Sheehan, T. J., Fifield, J., Reisine, S., & Tennen, H. (1995). The measurement structure of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Journal of personality assessment, 64(3), 507-521.
Eaton, W. W., Muntaner, C., Smith, C., Tien, A., Ybarra, M., & Maruish, M. E. (2004). Center for epidemiologic studies depression scale: Review and revision. The use of psychological testing for treatment planning and outcomes assessment, p363-p377.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the purpose of the CES-D?
The CES-D is designed to measure depressive symptoms in the general population and is used for both research and clinical purposes.
Q2: How long does it take to complete the CES-D?
It typically takes about 5-10 minutes to complete the 20-item questionnaire.
Q3: Can the CES-D be used for diagnosis?
The CES-D is not a diagnostic tool but rather a screening instrument to identify individuals who may need further evaluation for depression.
Q4: What is a high score on the CES-D?
Scores range from 0 to 60, with higher scores indicating more severe depressive symptoms. A score of 16 or above is often used as a cut-off point for identifying individuals with significant depressive symptoms.
Q5: Is the CES-D suitable for all age groups?
While the CES-D is primarily used for adults, it has also been adapted and validated for use with adolescents and older adults.
Q6: Are there different versions of the CES-D?
Yes, the CES-D has been revised (CESD-R) to include additional items and updated scoring, maintaining the original purpose of the scale
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