Reliability generalization of responses by care providers to the center for epidemiologic studies-depression scale

The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) Scale is among the most commonly used measures of depressive symptomatology. Despite this, a paucity of research has been undertaken to examine the psychometric properties of responses to this scale. This meta-analytic study examined previously published studies of caregiving to identify factors that predict variance in reliability estimates (i.e., reliability generalization). The results suggest that the type of care recipient, the relationship to the care recipient, and CES-D Scale length each statistically affect reliability estimates. Only the number of items, however, appears to have a substantive effect. It is thus recommended that the original 20-item scale be used. Overall, it appears that responses to the CES-D Scale by care providers are largely reliable across these populations. The findings of an informal survey of authors suggest an incomplete awareness and appreciation for issues regarding reliability induction.