The CES-DC is a 20-item self-report depression inventory with possible scores ranging from 0 to 60. Each response to an item is scored as follows:0 = "Not At All"; 1 = "A Little" 2 = "Some" 3 = "A Lot". The items 4, 8, 12, and 16 are phrased positively, and thus are scored in the opposite order. Higher CES-DC scores indicate increasing levels of depression.
In Portuguese version factor analysis revealed three factors (mood, interpersonal relationships and happiness) that explain 54% of the variance. The results show that the scale has an excellent internal consistency (α = 0,90), good temporal stability (r = 0,72) as an adequate convergent and divergent validity.