Abstract
This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Iranian translation of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression
Scale for Children (CES-DC) in school children and adolescents in Iran. The CES-DC is a 20-item self-report scale designed
to measure depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. A total of 1,984 children and adolescents, aged 12–17 years, participated
in this research. In addition to the CES-DC, all participants completed the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and the
Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The CES-DC demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha = .87). Confirmatory
factor analyses revealed the same four factor structure as proposed by Radloff. Invariance tests showed an equivalent structure
among boys and girls and younger and older adolescents. The CES-DC total scores correlated significantly with the SCAS total
scores and the SDQ emotional symptoms subscale, providing support of its convergent validity. To conclude, the CES-DC proved
to be a reliable and valid measure of depressive symptoms in the Iranian context.
Scale for Children (CES-DC) in school children and adolescents in Iran. The CES-DC is a 20-item self-report scale designed
to measure depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. A total of 1,984 children and adolescents, aged 12–17 years, participated
in this research. In addition to the CES-DC, all participants completed the Spence Children’s Anxiety Scale (SCAS) and the
Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). The CES-DC demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach Alpha = .87). Confirmatory
factor analyses revealed the same four factor structure as proposed by Radloff. Invariance tests showed an equivalent structure
among boys and girls and younger and older adolescents. The CES-DC total scores correlated significantly with the SCAS total
scores and the SDQ emotional symptoms subscale, providing support of its convergent validity. To conclude, the CES-DC proved
to be a reliable and valid measure of depressive symptoms in the Iranian context.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-14
- DOI 10.1007/s10578-012-0314-1
- Authors
- Cecilia A. Essau, Department of Psychology, Whitelands College, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JD UK
- Beatriz Olaya, Research Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu-CIBERSAM, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
- Gholamreza Pasha, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz Branch, Ahvaz, Iran
- Catherine Gilvarry, Department of Psychology, Whitelands College, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JD UK
- Diane Bray, Department of Psychology, Whitelands College, University of Roehampton, Holybourne Avenue, London, SW15 4JD UK
- Journal Child Psychiatry & Human Development
- Online ISSN 1573-3327
- Print ISSN 0009-398X