Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale – Revised (CESD-R)
A self-report questionnaire used to measure symptoms of depression and track them over time.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale – Revised (CESD-R) was developed by Eaton, W. W., Muntaner, C., Smith, C., Tien, A., Ybarra, M. (2004). It is designed to measure Depression. The scale is intended for use with Adults.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 20 items organized into 9 factors/subscales: Sadness (Dysphoria), Loss of Interest (Anhedonia), Appetite, Sleep, Thinking / concentration, Guilt (Worthlessness), Tired (fatigue), Movement (Agitation), Suicidal ideation.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Sadness (Dysphoria) | 2,4,6 | 3 |
| Loss of Interest (Anhedonia) | 8,10 | 2 |
| Appetite | 1,18 | 2 |
| Sleep | 5,11,19 | 3 |
| Thinking / concentration | 3,20 | 2 |
| Guilt (Worthlessness) | 9,17 | 2 |
| Tired (fatigue) | 7,16 | 2 |
| Movement (Agitation) | 12,13 | 2 |
| Suicidal ideation | 14,15 | 2 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: 0 = Not at all / Less than 1 day, 1 = 1 – 2 days, 2 = 3 – 4 days, 3 = 5 – 7 days, 4 = Nearly every day for 2 weeks.
Scoring
Items are summed to produce a total score.
Total scores range from 0 to 80. Interpretation guidelines:
- Subthreshold depressive symptoms: 0 – 15
- At risk for clinical depression: 16 – 80
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Good internal consistency.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.