Reliability and Factor Structure of the Chinese Version of the Depression Self-Rating Scale

The Chinese version of the Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS) developed by Birleson was administered to 3,786 Chinese early adolescents studying at Grades 5 to 8 in Hong Kong. The DSRS data were found to have adequate internal consistency and item-total correlations. Factor analysis of the scale revealed two components. The findings suggest that the Chinese version of the DSRS possesses acceptable psychometric properties and appears to be a brief and economical instrument to be used for the purposes of research and documenting change. However, the mean for the sample was found to be higher than those obtained in previous studies. Implications for future research are discussed.