DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN SWEDISH ADOLESCENTS - NORMATIVE DATA USING THEBIRLESON DEPRESSION SELF-RATING SCALE (DSRS)

This study examined the prevalence of self-reported depressive symptom s in a Swedish urban school sample (n = 524) aged 13-18 years using th e Birleson Depression Self-Rating Scale (DSRS). Normative data are pre sented. The DSRS had high internal consistency. Factor analysis showed one single factor comprising almost exactly the same items that had b een found to best reflect depressive phenomena in a previous clinical study. Items particularly endorsed by high scoring adolescents (above the 95th percentile) indicated a symptom constellation with 'endogenou s' features. The frequencies of reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were 4% and 5%, respectively. Female gender and suicide atte mpt, but not age were associated with higher scores on the DSRS. Our r esults indicate that, despite its shortcomings the DSRS is a reliable and valid measure of depression in adolescence. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scie nce B.V.