Through four times of preliminary trials, the authors translated the Center for Epidemiologic
Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a self-reporting depression scale, into Korean, paying particular
attention to the culturally different mode of expressio...
Through four times of preliminary trials, the authors translated the Center for Epidemiologic
Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), a self-reporting depression scale, into Korean, paying particular
attention to the culturally different mode of expression of depressive feelings and thoughts.
The final version of the CES-D was administered to 164 psychiatric patients (30 schizophrenic,
31 alcohol dependence, 30 anxiety disorder, 46 major depression, 27 remitted depression), and
540 non-random selected general population.
Reliability and validity test optimal cut-off point estimation, and R O C curve analyis were
done to investigate the diagnostic validity of this depression screening instrument in assessing
clinical depression (DSM-III-R major depression).
Internal consistency-reliability and concurrent validity associated with other depression
measure scales (H RD S, DSI, B D I) were excellent Content validity and discriminant validity
which differentiate DSM-III-R major depression patients from other psychiatric patients were
also good.
The authors suggested the score ‘25’ as the optimal cut-off point in clinical setting, and
the score ‘21’ in the community setting for its use as a primary screening test for further
test to idenify DSM-III-R major depression. This relatively high cut-off point was reviewed
in the viewpoint of culturally determined style of response for the depression questionnaire
in Korea.
R O C curve analysis revealed wide AUC o f this instrument which indicates its high diagnostic
validity in assessing DSM-III-R major depression. Observer rating scales such as H R S D and
D S I were a bit superior to self reporting scales, and the CES-D and B D I showed almost
equal diagnostic validity in assessing DSM-III-R major depression