Psychometric Validity of the CES‐D Scale for Assessing Depressive Symptoms in University Students in Bogotá. Colombia.
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| Title: | Psychometric Validity of the CES‐D Scale for Assessing Depressive Symptoms in University Students in Bogotá. Colombia. |
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| Authors: | Caro‐Delgado, Angela Gissette (AUTHOR), Mancilla, Víctor Rivera (AUTHOR), Medina‐Parra, Jorge (AUTHOR), Villalobos‐Galvis, Freddy H. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research. Jun2026, Vol. 35 Issue 2, p1-9. 9p. |
| Subjects: | Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, College students, Test validity, Latin Americans, Mental depression, Factor analysis, Statistical reliability |
| Geographic Terms: | Bogotá (Colombia), Colombia |
| Abstract: | Introduction: The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) is a widely used tool for assessing depressive symptoms. This study examined its psychometric properties in a sample of 1738 university students in Bogotá. Methods: Instrumental study with a cross‐sectional, single‐center design with two‐stage sampling. Exploratory and two‐factor factorial analyses were applied, along with reliability estimates and subgroup analyses by gender and social stratum. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three‐factor structure (depressive affect, positive affect, and social aspects), which explained 56% of the total variance. The KMO index was 0.95, and Bartlett's sphericity test was significant (χ2 = 17,902.82, df = 190, p < 0.001). The bifactor model showed a strong overall factor (hierarchical omega = 0.85; ECV = 0.71), supporting the use of a total score. Internal consistency was high (α = 0.93; ω = 0.94). Women scored significantly higher than men (p < 0.001). Differentiated cut‐off points by sex are proposed: ≥ 52 for women and ≥ 45 for men. Conclusions: These findings support the validity and reliability of the CES‐D as a unidimensional measure of depressive symptoms in the Colombian university population and highlight its usefulness as a screening tool in public health settings, particularly within Latin American regional contexts where early detection of mental health problems is a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | Introduction: The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D) is a widely used tool for assessing depressive symptoms. This study examined its psychometric properties in a sample of 1738 university students in Bogotá. Methods: Instrumental study with a cross‐sectional, single‐center design with two‐stage sampling. Exploratory and two‐factor factorial analyses were applied, along with reliability estimates and subgroup analyses by gender and social stratum. Results: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a three‐factor structure (depressive affect, positive affect, and social aspects), which explained 56% of the total variance. The KMO index was 0.95, and Bartlett's sphericity test was significant (χ2 = 17,902.82, df = 190, p < 0.001). The bifactor model showed a strong overall factor (hierarchical omega = 0.85; ECV = 0.71), supporting the use of a total score. Internal consistency was high (α = 0.93; ω = 0.94). Women scored significantly higher than men (p < 0.001). Differentiated cut‐off points by sex are proposed: ≥ 52 for women and ≥ 45 for men. Conclusions: These findings support the validity and reliability of the CES‐D as a unidimensional measure of depressive symptoms in the Colombian university population and highlight its usefulness as a screening tool in public health settings, particularly within Latin American regional contexts where early detection of mental health problems is a priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 10498931 |
| DOI: | 10.1002/mpr.70072 |
