Macao Polytechnic University – Knowledge, Expertise, Global Vision!

2011/2012

A psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of the short-form cardiac depression scale

Psychosomatics*, 52(5), 450-454

Author(s)	Wenru Wang Chantal F. Ski David R. Thompson David L. Hare
Summary	Objective To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Short-Form Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) as a screening tool. Methods Measurement performance was tested on 239 Chinese cardiac patients who were asked to complete the Chinese versions of the Short-Form CDS, the CDS, the Beck Depression Inventory, and an overall measure (single item) of mood status. Results The Chinese Short-Form CDS demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α 0. 76). The high correlation coefficients (r =0.63-0.74, P < 0.01) between the five items and the total scale provide further evidence of internal consistency. There was acceptable concurrent validity with significantly high correlations between the Chinese versions of the Short- Form CDS and the CDS (r = 0.80, P< 0.0001) and the Beck Depression Inventory (r = 0.64, P < 0.0001). Principal components analysis revealed a single dimension extracted from the data set, which resembles that reported by the authors of the original scale. Conclusion The Chinese Short-Form CDS appears to be a valid and reliable user-friendly measure for monitoring depressed mood in Chinese-speaking patients with cardiac disease.

Author(s)

Wenru Wang
Chantal F. Ski
David R. Thompson
David L. Hare

Summary

Objective

To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Chinese version of the Short-Form Cardiac Depression Scale (CDS) as a screening tool.

Methods

Measurement performance was tested on 239 Chinese cardiac patients who were asked to complete the Chinese versions of the Short-Form CDS, the CDS, the Beck Depression Inventory, and an overall measure (single item) of mood status.

Results

The Chinese Short-Form CDS demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α 0. 76). The high correlation coefficients (r =0.63-0.74, P < 0.01) between the five items and the total scale provide further evidence of internal consistency. There was acceptable concurrent validity with significantly high correlations between the Chinese versions of the Short- Form CDS and the CDS (r = 0.80, P< 0.0001) and the Beck Depression Inventory (r = 0.64, P < 0.0001). Principal components analysis revealed a single dimension extracted from the data set, which resembles that reported by the authors of the original scale.

Conclusion

The Chinese Short-Form CDS appears to be a valid and reliable user-friendly measure for monitoring depressed mood in Chinese-speaking patients with cardiac disease.

* also listed in SSCI with an impact factor among those of the top 38% of journals in Psychiatry