Psychometric properties of Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for adolescents in Bulgaria

Abstract

The present study assessed the psychometric properties of the Bulgarian version of the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-DC), which is a 20-item self-report scale designed to measure depressive symptoms in children and adolescents. A total of 700 (323 female, 377 male) adolescents, aged 13-17 years, participated in this study. In addition to the CES-DC, the adolescents also completed the Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and the Spence Child Anxiety Scale (SCAS). The results of the confirmatory factor analysis yielded fit index values demonstrating viability of the four-dimensional solution as in the original. The CES-DC significantly correlated with SDQ total scores and its subscales, indicating that a high level of depressive symptoms was associated with high level of emotional and behavioral problems. Overall, the results provided evidence for the factor validity and reliability of Bulgarian version of the CES-DC when used among adolescents in Bulgaria.

Keywords

• Depression
• adolescents
• psychometric properties
• Centre for Epidemiologic Studies for Depression Scale