[The General Depression Scale in diagnosis of adolescents].

A German version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used in the Zurich Epidemiological Study of Child and Adolescent Psychopathology (ZESCAP). Psychometric analyses revealed clear evidence of a central factor of depression as reflected by the CES-D. Due to good reliability, a total score of the CES-D should be used in clinical diagnostics. The first cross-sectional wave of assessment within ZESCAP found that gender, nationality (indigenous vs. migrants) and residence (urban vs. rural) are important determinants of the total score. The article provides norms for adolescents. The study of the validity of the CES-D warrants further research.