Responses to depression scale items among Mexican-Americans and non-Hispanic Whites

This study examined two possible patterns of ethnic differences in responses to Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale items: isolated differences in relatively disparate items and consistent differences in conceptually related items. Data were from randomly selected household residents (4,222 Mexican-Americans, 1,063 non-Hispanic Whites). The most common symptoms reflected lack of positive affect; least common were crying, feelings of failure, and feeling disliked. Mexican-Americans were more likely than non-Hispanic Whites to report symptoms that reflect lack of positive affect, which suggests possible limitations on this dimension's cross-cultural validity. U.S.-born Mexican-Americans reported more somatic and negative affect symptoms than did the Mexican-born, which suggests an overall immigration difference in depressed mood.