Cited by 57Psychometric Methodologies and TestingAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesMental Health Research Topics

Factor structure and measurement invariance of the Chinese version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) scale among undergraduates and clinical patients

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Niu, Lishui, He, Jiayue, Cheng, Chang, Yi, Jinyao, Wang, Xiang, Yao, Shuqiao·2021·BMC Psychiatry

Abstract

Background: The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CESD) was widely used for screening of depressive symptoms. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the factor structure and measurement invariance of the CESD across genders and groups in a sample of Chinese undergraduates and clinical patients. Methods: Participants included 3093 undergraduates from the Hunan province and 336 patients from psychological clinics. The structure of the CESD scale was analyzed by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Multiple sets of CFAs were used to test measurement invariance across genders among undergraduates and clinical patients. Internal consistency reliability was also evaluated. Results: The five-factor model achieved satisfactory fit (in the undergraduate sample: WLSMVχ 2 = 1662.385, df = 160, CFI = 0.973, TLI = 0.968, RMSEA = 0.055; in the clinical patients: WLSMVχ 2 = 502.089, df = 160, CFI = 0.962, TLI = 0.955, RMSEA = 0.072). The measurement invariance of the five-factor model across genders was supported fully assuming different degrees of invariance. The CESD also showed acceptable internal consistency. Conclusion: Due to its sound structure and measurement invariance, the five-factor model of the CESD is best suited for testing in Chinese mainland college students and clinical patients.

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Cited by

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Authors
Niu, L., He, J., Cheng, C., Yi, J., Wang, X., & Yao, S.
Affiliations
Central South University (CN)
Corresponding author
  • Wang, Xiang
  • Yao, Shuqiao
Venue
BMC Psychiatry
Published
2021-09-23
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
463-463
ISSN
1471-244X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3201060832
Cited by
57
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 8 · 2025: 34 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 1
FWCI
2.28
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • BMC Psychiatry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, other-oa)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (81471384, No. 81471384)
  • Central South University
  • Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
Keywords
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, CES-D, factor structure, measurement invariance, gender differences, Chinese undergraduates, university students, psychometric validation, Chinese version
MeSH terms
China, Depression, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Male, Psychometrics, Students, Reproducibility of Results, Epidemiologic Studies

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