title: Measurement adequacy of the CES-D among a sample of older African-Americans.
abstract: This manuscript examines the measurement adequacy of the CES-D when applied in older African-Americans (n=227). The response distribution was skewed towards less symptomatology on all items, and the internal consistency of the CES-D was acceptable (alpha=0.86). An exploratory factor analysis revealed four underlying factors of depressive symptomatology: (1) depressive/somatic; (2) positive; (3) interpersonal; and (4) social well-being. The primary factor was a combination of depression and somatic symptoms, a commonly reported uni-dimensional factor among ethnic groups. Additionally, a fourth factor emerged that has not previously been identified, labeled 'social well-being'. This factor consisted of three items that may tap into the social interactions of the elderly: appetite, hopeful, and talk. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence on the unique measurement properties of the CES-D across diverse populations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Piedmont Plaza II, Suite 512, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. kfoley@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Kristie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Long Foley
authors.forename: Peter S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mutran
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: DeVellis
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires