Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Test
How the Scales are Structured
Who Usually Takes This Test?
See How You Compare
Below is a preview of how scores are typically distributed across each scale.
Once you complete the test, your result will appear on the scale so you can see how you compare.
Example Questions From the Test
- Rarely or none of the time
- Some or a little of the time
- Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time
- Most or all of the time
- Very rarely
- Sometimes
- Most of the time
- Almost all the time
- Rarely or none of the time
- Some or a little of the time
- Occasionally or a moderate amount of the time
- Most or all of the time
Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) Test - Symptoms and Signs
This self-report measure assesses the frequency of depressive symptoms experienced over a recent period. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) is commonly used in clinical and research settings to characterize current symptom burden and to support screening and monitoring.
Developed by Radloff, L. S., it consists of 20 items and typically requires about 20 minutes to complete. Items are rated on a 4-point scale reflecting how often symptoms have occurred, covering affective, somatic, and interpersonal aspects of depression. Scores from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) should be interpreted in the context of presenting concerns and other clinical information and are not, by themselves, diagnostic.