Measurement invariance and normative data of the 8-item short form of the Center of Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D-8)

Objectives: Female gender is a risk factor for depression. It is questionable whether a given psychometric instrument depicts depressive symptom severity in men and women alike. Therefore, we examined measurement invariance of the Center of Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale-8 (CES-D-8) between women, men and different age groups. Additionally, we aimed providing normative data for CES-D-8. Methods: We assessed depressive symptoms in a German population-based sample (N = 2,507) with the CES-D-8. Gender-distorted items were excluded in the short form. Results: Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we found good model fit for men, women and the overall sample. A multi-group CFA confirmed measurement invariance of CES-D-8 regarding the tested factors and their interaction. Gender- and age-group-specific norms were computed. Conclusion: The use of the CES-D-8 can be recommended in epidemiological contexts, for practice and research. Different values between women and men of different age groups can be compared appropriately from a psychometric perspective.