The objective of this study was to explore the factor structure of a shortened ten-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D 10) used in a national survey in China.

This secondary research is based on the wave I (2011) of the China Health Aging Retirement and Longevity Study (CHARLS). CHARLS recruited a nationally representative community sample of households with members aged 45 years or above. A subsample of 742 respondents aged 60 years and older were used for this study. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to test three competing models and determine the best-fit model for the elderly Chinese sample. Factorial invariance across gender was also examined. R2 coefficient was used to measure the reliability of each item.

Confirmatory factor analysis supported the two-factor model as having the best fit. Depressive affect and somatic symptoms were the first factor while positive affect was loaded as the second factor. The multi-group analysis showed that the two-factor structure varied across the male and female groups in China (χ2 (df = 86) = 144.13, p < 0.001). Moreover, gender differences were indicated by individual item reliability scores, mean score, and prevalence rate of depressive symptoms.

The CES-D 10 Scale indicated adequate reliability and validity for the community-dwelling older population in China. In addition, the data revealed that perception and expression of depressive feelings was different between male and female elderly people.