Abstract

The present study attempts to develop a Korean version of CES-D in a preliminary level. For this purpose, two independent studies were pursued. In Study 1, employing general population, validity and reliability of a Korean version of CES-D were examined. More specifically, participants were 220 residents in diverse areas such as Taegu, Taejon, Kyongju, and Mokpo. The results revealed that (1) the internal consistency of a Korean version of CES-D was .89, that (2) a Korean version of CES-D consisted of 4 factors showing similar factor structure to that of the original CES-D (Radloff, 1977), and that (3) Pearson correlation with depression subscale of a Korean version of SCL-90-R was .69. These results, as a whole, suggested that a Korean version of CES-D was satisfactory in terms of its reliability and validity for general population. In Study 2, participants were clinical patients diagnosed by psychiatrists as depressives, schizophrenics, and alcoholics. The results revealed that depressives(M=30.7) were significantly higher than schizophrenics(M=20.8) and alcoholics(M=20.3) in terms of CES-D scores(P<.007). Thus, the results suggested that a Korean version of CES-D could be used as a convenient screening test for clinically depressed patients as well. Taken together, the results demonstrated that a Korean version of CES-D could be a valuable depression scale primarily for general population and secondarily for clinical patients. Finally, limitations of the present study are discussed and suggestions for future studies are made.