title: Use of the CES-D among a community sample of older Mexican-Americans.
abstract: This study is a descriptive and comparative analysis of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale as administered to a sample of Mexican-Americans (n = 455) age 45 years and older. This sample was part of a cross-sectional survey (Health and Lifestyles After 45) carried out in 1985-1987 by the University Center on Aging at San Diego State University. Results indicate that CES-D mean scores (overall = 11.3) and caseness rates (overall = 25.9%) are comparable with depression data reported from other studies among samples of Mexican-Americans. Factor analysis provided evidence indicating cultural response preferences among Mexican-Americans, particularly immigrants, who tend to somatize dysphoric complaints. A re-examination of an often cited CES-D ethnic validation study is included. Implications for construct validity of the CES-D among older Mexican-Americans are discussed.
authors.affiliation: University Center on Aging College of Health and Human services San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Schoenrock
authors.forename: E P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Stanford
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Peddecord
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Molgaard