Psychology RootsTable of Contents
Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale
Here in this post, we are sharing the “Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale”. You can read psychometric and Author information. We have thousands of Scales and questionnaires in our collection (See Scales and Questionnaires). You can demand us any scale and questionnaires related to psychology through our community, and we will provide you with a short time. Keep visiting Psychology Roots.
About Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale
Scale Name
Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale
Author Details
Barbara J. Mason, James H. Kocsis, Andrew C. Leon, Seth Thompson, Allen J. Frances, Robert O. Morgan, and Michael K. Parides
Translation Availability
English
Background/Description
The Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale (CDRS), developed by Barbara J. Mason, James H. Kocsis, Andrew C. Leon, Seth Thompson, Allen J. Frances, Robert O. Morgan, and Michael K. Parides in 1993, is a specialized clinician-rated tool designed to assess the severity of dysthymia, a chronic form of depression. Published in Psychiatric Annals, the CDRS was created to address the need for a precise measure that captures the subtle, persistent symptoms of dysthymia, distinguishing it from major depressive disorder and tracking treatment response. It is particularly valuable in psychiatric research and clinical practice for evaluating long-term depressive states.
The CDRS consists of 20 items, each scored on a 5-point scale (0 = “not present” to 4 = “severe”), covering mood, cognitive, behavioral, and somatic symptoms specific to dysthymia, such as chronic sadness, low self-esteem, and fatigue. Total scores range from 0 to 80, with higher scores indicating greater severity; no universal cutoff exists, but scores are often compared to baseline for treatment evaluation. Administered through a semi-structured interview, it takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, relying on clinician observation and patient input. Its focus on dysthymia’s unique profile and translations into multiple languages make it a key tool for understanding and managing this often underrecognized condition.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Obtain the copy: Access the CDRS from its original publication in Mason et al. (1993) via Psychiatric Annals or authorized psychiatric resources, ensuring clinician training.
- Explain the purpose: Inform the clinician (and indirectly the patient) that the scale measures dysthymia severity to guide diagnosis and monitor treatment progress.
- Provide instructions: Instruct the clinician to rate each of the 20 items based on a semi-structured interview and observation, using the 5-point scale and provided guidelines.
- Approximate time: Allow approximately 20-30 minutes for the interview and scoring, depending on the patient’s presentation and clinician familiarity.
- Administer the scale: Conduct the assessment in a clinical setting, observing the patient’s behavior and responses during the interview, and record scores systematically.
Reliability and Validity
The Cornell Dysthymia Rating Scale exhibits strong psychometric properties, as established in Mason et al. (1993). Inter-rater reliability is high, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.85 to 0.90 among trained clinicians, reflecting consistent scoring across observers. Test-retest reliability, assessed over a one-week period in stable patients, yields coefficients around 0.80, indicating stability in chronic symptom measurement.
Validity is well-supported through its development process. Concurrent validity is evidenced by moderate to strong correlations (r = 0.65-0.80) with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, adapted for dysthymia, while its item selection ensures content validity for chronic depression features. Discriminant validity distinguishes CDRS scores from mania or acute depression scales, confirming specificity to dysthymia. Its sensitivity to treatment response, demonstrated in antidepressant trials, enhances its utility, with score reductions reflecting clinical improvement, making it a reliable and valid tool for dysthymia assessment.
Available Versions
20-Items
Reference
Mason, B. J., Kocsis, J. H., Leon, A. C., Thompson, S., Frances, A. J., Morgan, R. O., & Parides, M. K. (1993). Measurement of severity and treatment response in dysthymia. Psychiatric Annals, 23(11), 625-631.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the CDRS measure?
It measures the severity of dysthymia symptoms.
How many items are in the CDRS?
It includes 20 items scored from 0 to 4.
Who developed the CDRS?
It was developed by Barbara Mason and colleagues in 1993.
How long does it take to complete the CDRS?
It takes about 20-30 minutes via clinical interview.
What makes the CDRS unique?
It focuses specifically on chronic dysthymia, not acute depression.
Disclaimer
Please note that Psychology Roots does not have the right to grant permission for the use of any psychological scales or assessments listed on its website. To use any scale or assessment, you must obtain permission directly from the author or translator of the tool. Psychology Roots provides information about various tools and their administration procedures, but it is your responsibility to obtain proper permissions before using any scale or assessment. If you need further information about an author’s contact details, please submit a query to the Psychology Roots team.
Help Us Improve This Article
Have you discovered an inaccuracy? We put out great effort to give accurate and scientifically trustworthy information to our readers. Please notify us if you discover any typographical or grammatical errors.
Make a comment. We acknowledge and appreciate your efforts.
Share With Us
If you have any scale or any material related to psychology kindly share it with us at psychologyroots@gmail.com. We help others on behalf of you.
