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Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), ready to run

A 20-item self-report scale measuring frequency of depressive symptoms in the past week, designed for epidemiological research in the general population.

20 items · 4 sections · 4-point frequency scale (0-3)

The instrument

Below is a list of the ways you might have felt or behaved. Please tell me how often you have felt this way during the past week. During the past week:

1. Somatic/retarded activity

2. 1

   I was bothered by things that usually don't bother me.

   Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
3. 2

   I did not feel like eating; my appetite was poor.

   Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
4. 3

   I had trouble keeping my mind on what I was doing.

   Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
5. 4

   I felt that everything I did was an effort.

   Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
6. 5

   My sleep was restless.

   Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
7. 6

   I talked less than usual.

   Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
8. 7

   I could not get "going."

   Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

9. Depressed affect

10. 8

    I felt that I could not shake off the blues even with help from my family or friends.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
11. 9

    I felt depressed.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
12. 10

    I thought my life had been a failure.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
13. 11

    I felt fearful.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
14. 12

    I felt lonely.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
15. 13

    I had crying spells.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
16. 14

    I felt sad.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

17. Positive affect

18. 15

    I felt that I was just as good as other people.

    Reverse-scored

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
19. 16

    I felt hopeful about the future.

    Reverse-scored

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
20. 17

    I was happy.

    Reverse-scored

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
21. 18

    I enjoyed life.

    Reverse-scored

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

22. Interpersonal

23. 19

    People were unfriendly.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)
24. 20

    I felt that people dislike me.

    Rarely or none of the time (less than 1 day)Some or a little of the time (1-2 days)Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days)Most or all of the time (5-7 days)

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