Factor Structure and Psychometric Properties of Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale in Women with a Sick Child

Considering the necessity of using a valid and reliable tool to assess depression in women and the lack of similar tools in Iran, the purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS) with an emphasis on factor analysis among Iranian women with sick children.

In the cross-sectional psychometric study, 102 eligible women were selected by multistage cluster sampling from various environments such as healthcare centers, hospitals, and public and private institutions, who completed the ZSDS. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed using test-retest and internal consistency, and its validity was tested by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).

Cronbach's alpha coefficients for the total scale were equal to 0.73, and high test-retest reliability indicated the appropriate reliability of ZSDS. The CFA results indicated a poor fit of the model in determining the factors as initially expressed in ZSDS. After removing six questions with low factor loadings and freeing the covariance error between the two questions, the model was adequately fitted (CMIN/DF= 1.3, CFI= 0.92, TLI= 0.90, GFI= 0.89).

Based on our study, the ZSDS is convenient for identifying clinically significant depressive symptoms among women with sick children.