Exploring the psychometric properties of the CES‐D‐10 and its practicality in detecting depressive symptomatology in 27 low‐ and middle‐income countries

Abstract

The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression‐10 (CES‐D‐10) scale is known for its good psychometric properties in measuring depressive symptoms, however, some researchers question its applicability across various settings. This study explored the factor structure of the CES‐D‐10 in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs). This cross‐sectional survey consisted of 16,723 university students across 27 LMICs that completed self‐report instruments assessing socio‐demographic information and depressive symptoms using the CES‐D‐10. Data analysis included: exploratory factor analysis, item response theory and differential item functioning. Results indicate that a two‐factor model (depressive affect and positive affect) had the best fit for this population and accounted for 52% of the total observed variance with an internal consistency, α = .77 for the depressive affect items and α = .57 for the positive affect items. The graded response model (GRM), however, indicated that the depressive affect factor had a good fit, unlike the positive affect factor. The depressive affect factor was found to consistently model depression for females better than males. Relative to their Asian counterparts, African, Caribbean and South American participants of similar depressive affect responded differently on all items of the depressive affect factor. The depressive affect factor seems most ideal for LMICs and shows gender and cross‐cultural variability.

Relationship Between Sedentary Behaviors and Sleep Duration in University Students from Five ASEAN Countries

“…Scores of 15 or more were classified as severe depressive symptoms (22), Cronbach's α = 0.69 (ranging from 0.60 in Indonesia to 0.73 in Malaysia). In validation studies in Malaysia (23) and Vietnam (24), the CES-D showed good validity and reliability for depression, and the CES-D-10 showed good cross-cultural validity among university students across 27 low-and middleincome countries, including the study countries (25).…”

Associations of physical partner violence and sexual violence victimization on health risk behaviours and mental health among university students from 25 countries

“…The cross-sectional study comprised 18,335 college or university students with a median age of 20 years (interquartile range = 3 years) with complete physical IPV and/ or sexual violence victimization data from 25 countries in Southeast Asia: Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand; South Asia and China: India, Pakistan and China; North Africa and Central Asia: Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey, Russia and Kyrgyzstan; the Americas: Barbados, Columbia, Grenada, Jamaica and Venezuela and in sub-Saharan Africa: Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Namibia, Nigeria and South Africa. The study was initiated through personal, academic contacts of the principal investigators; thus, in each study country one or two universities were purposefully selected, [25] targeting 400 male and 400 female undergraduate university students aged 16-30 years. "The participants were identified using a quasi-random selection process, which entailed randomly selecting one department from each University faculty, and a random selection was then made from an ordered list of all undergraduate courses offered within the selected department" [25] "Trained research assistants then described the study to students within the selected undergraduate class to recruit participants.…”

“…The study was initiated through personal, academic contacts of the principal investigators; thus, in each study country one or two universities were purposefully selected, [25] targeting 400 male and 400 female undergraduate university students aged 16-30 years. "The participants were identified using a quasi-random selection process, which entailed randomly selecting one department from each University faculty, and a random selection was then made from an ordered list of all undergraduate courses offered within the selected department" [25] "Trained research assistants then described the study to students within the selected undergraduate class to recruit participants. The inclusion criterion was being present in class at the time of recruitment."…”

“…The inclusion criterion was being present in class at the time of recruitment." [25]. The consent form included a written justification of the study and contact details of the local principal investigator were provided in order to respond to any questions or personal concerns.…”

Association between Depressive Symptoms and Food Insecurity among Indonesian Adults: Results from the 2007–2014 Indonesia Family Life Survey

“…However, the food insecurity measurement from the FFQ was relevant when we defined it from the food frequency and diversity diet [24,25]. Moreover, the use of the CES-D 10 items is widely used to measure the depression or depressive symptoms among adults [30,75]. Third, we could not control for the respondents who received antidepressants or therapy because the IFLS questionnaire did not include a related question.…”