Depression among Swedish adolescents measured by the self-rating scale Center for Epidemiology Studies-Depression Child (CES-DC)

The self-report questionnaire Center for Epidemiological Studies - Depression Child (CES DC) was used for screening depression in Swedish 16-17 year olds during their first year in high school. Completed questionnaires were produced by 2272 students (92% of the population). The mean score was 13.2 (boys 9.9; girls 16.5). Factor analysis gave the same factors for boys and girls with a strong main factor for depressed mood. High scores of 30 or above were found in 240 cases (10.3%). Of those, 204 (85%) and the same number of controls with low scores were interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents (DICA-R-A). Depressive diagnosis during the last year was confirmed in 71% of high scorers and 15% of low scorers. Beck's depression inventory with cut off at score 16 was used in the same material with equal result. Used with high cut off scores the CES-DC was specific enough for discovering depressive disorder.