ASSESSING DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN 5 PSYCHIATRIC POPULATIONS - VALIDATION-STUDY

Data from 5 psychiatric populations and a community sample were presented on the CES-D [Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale], a 20-item self-report depression symptom scale. The scale was a sensitive tool for detecting human depressive symptoms and change in symptoms over time in psychiatric populations. It agreed well with more lengthy self-report scales used in clinical studies and with clinician interview ratings. Although a symptom scale cannot differentiate between diagnostic groups, the CES-D demonstrated its validity as a screening tool for detecting depressive symptoms in psychiatric populations.