Depressive symptomatology among Chinese-Americans as measured by the CES-D

This paper examines the level of depressive symptomatology in a community-based Chinese-American sample as measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D) and assesses its psychometric properties within this group. The CES-D was administered to 360 Chinese-Americans on the telephone. Its internal reliability was found to be good. A factor analysis revealed an inseparability of affective and somatic structures in this sample. This reflects the nature of experience and manifestation of depression in Chinese culture. Level of depressive symptomatology was found to be higher than previously reported in both White and Asian samples. Those who belonged to a lower socioeconomic level (as measured by education and occupation) scored as significantly more depressed than those who are better off.