Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression 10-Item Boston version (CESD-10 B): A clinically relevant scale for depressive symptoms in cancer patients

Abstract

The prevalence of mental health disorders and low referral rates for mental health care indicate the need for a clinically relevant scale for symptom screening and measurement for cancer survivorship. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale 10-item Boston Version (CESD-10 B), which contains multiple dimensions, was designed for low-burden usability. This study (N = 200) aimed to evaluate the structural validity of CESD-10 B among cancer patients. Confirmatory factor analysis was applied to compare (1) a single-factor model and (2) a four-factor model. Internal consistency was also evaluated. The four-factor model fit the data significantly better than the single-factor model (p < 0.001) with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.74. The CESD-10 B was confirmed for its four domain structure. The domain of Interpersonal Problems in the CESD-10 B is a major clinical indicator of the need for mental health care.