The factor structure of the CES-D in a sample of Rwandan genocide survivors

Past research suggests that culture shapes the way psychopathology is experienced and expressed. Standard psychiatric assessment instruments may therefore not capture the same underlying constructs in different contexts. The present study investigated the factor structure of a standard depression scale in a sample of Rwandan genocide survivors.

One hundred ninety six Rwandan adults provided socio-demographic information and completed the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D), one of the most widely used self-report instruments assessing depressive symptoms, as part of a larger study on well-being and mental health in Rwanda.

A two-factor solution provided the best fit for these CES-D data. The first factor corresponded to general depressive symptoms (including depressed affect, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal concerns) and explained 37.20% of the variance. The second factor included items assessing positive affect and explained 8.68% of the variance.

The two-factor solution found in the present study deviates from the commonly reported four-factor structure, but is consistent with studies showing that depressed affect and somatic symptoms may not be experienced as distinct in certain non-Western and minority cultural groups.