CONTENT VALIDITY OF THE PSYCHIATRIC SYMPTOM INDEX, CES-DEPRESSION SCALE, AND STATE-TRAIT ANXIETY INVENTORY FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF DSM-IV

We compared the item content of three commonly used scales of psychiat ric symptoms [the broad-band Psychiatric Symptom Index (Ilfeld) and tw o narrow-band scales, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (Radloff) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger)], with diagnostic criteria and criterion-based symptoms for Major Depres sive Episode and Generalized Anxiety Disorder as they appeared in DSM- IV. The Psychiatric Symptom Index and the Center for Epidemiologic Stu dies-Depression Scale each measured 7 of 9 criterion-based symptoms of Major Depressive Episode. The Psychiatric Symptom Index and State-Tra it Anxiety Inventory each measured 5 of 8 domains for Generalized Anxi ety Disorder. The Psychiatric Symptom Index had comparable content val idity to the narrow-band measures. All met a majority of DSM-IV criter ia for depression and anxiety, supporting their applicability for curr ent research.