Depressive symptoms, major depression, and generalized anxiety: a comparison of self-reports on CES-D and results from diagnostic interviews

Abstract

This study evaluates the validity of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) by comparing it to DSM-III diagnoses of major depression and generalized anxiety, using the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS). Data were gathered on a sample of 310 mothers of children with chronic disabilities. The utility of the CES-D for detecting major depression was approximately equal to its utility for detecting generalized anxiety. Multivariate analysis revealed that the unique association of CES-D with current depression was equal to its association with current generalized anxiety and that the two disorders had additive effects on CES-D. The analysis did not identify any individual CES-D symptom as specific to either disorder. The findings, therefore, do not support the notion that the CES-D measures depression specifically.