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Tags: Psychology , Psychometrics
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The CES D 20 scale is a brief self report measure of depressive symptoms during the past week. It helps you notice patterns and decide whether to track changes or seek support.

You read each statement and choose how often it applied from rarely to most or all days. Answers combine into a total score and four subscores so you can see where symptoms cluster and which areas seem steadier.

For example you might report frequent low mood and reduced enjoyment while sleep is fair. The total would rise and the depressed affect subscore could lead so you would know what to watch over the next week.

Treat the result as a snapshot rather than a label. Scores can shift with sleep routine stress and health. Use consistent timing and the same week window to compare runs, and take notes about context when helpful.

If answers worry you talk with a qualified professional. This tool provides informational estimates and does not substitute professional advice.

Technical Details:

The CES-D-20 is a 20‑item symptom inventory scored over the past week. Each item records frequency on a four‑point scale and contributes to a summed index of depressed mood and related experiences.

Responses are converted to symptom scores on a 0–3 scale. Four positively worded items are reverse‑scored, so higher totals consistently reflect more frequent symptoms. The summed total ranges from 0 to 60 and is complemented by four subscores that group items by theme.

Results are interpreted using band thresholds implemented in this package. Subscores are labeled using simple proportions of their maxima so you can compare areas like core mood, positive affect, somatic symptoms, and interpersonal items.

s_i = x_i  if not reversed; otherwise  3−x_i T = ∑(s_i)  for i=1…20
Symbol Meaning Unit/Datatype Source
xi Recorded response for item i (0 to 3) integer (0–3) Input
si Symptom score after reverse‑scoring rule integer (0–3) Derived
T Total CES‑D score points (0–60) Derived
Worked example

Responses (0–3) by item: [1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 1, 2, 2, 1, 1, 1, 1, 2, 1, 2, 1, 1, 0, 2]. Reverse‑scored items are 4, 8, 12, 16.

s_4=3−3=0 s_8=3−2=1 s_12=3−1=2 s_16=3−2=1 T=24

A total of 24 falls in the Moderate band below. Depressed affect is likely the highest subscore in this pattern.

Threshold Band Lower Bound Upper Bound Interpretation Action Cue
Minimal 0 15 Symptoms infrequent overall Maintain helpful routines
Mild 16 20 Some symptoms present Track and review
Moderate 21 30 Frequent symptoms Consider professional input
Severe 31 60 Symptoms most days Seek professional review

Subscores:

  • Depressed affect — items 3, 6, 9, 10, 14, 17, 18; maximum 21 points.
  • Low positive affect — items 4, 8, 12, 16; maximum 12 points (reverse‑scored).
  • Somatic — items 1, 2, 5, 7, 11, 20; maximum 18 points.
  • Interpersonal — items 15, 19; maximum 6 points.

Units, precision & rounding:

All computations use integers. No rounding is applied. Totals and subscores are exact sums in points.

Validation & bounds extracted from code:

Field Type Min Max Step/Pattern Error Text Placeholder
Responses integer 0 3 step 1 — —
Query param r string 20 chars 20 chars regex ^[0-3\-]{20}$ Invalid input is ignored e.g., 0-2103…

I/O formats & encoding:

Input Accepted Families Output Encoding/Precision Rounding
Item responses 0–3 frequency choices Total, severity band, subscores, analysis integers; base‑4 string in r (0–3 or “-”) none

Networking & storage behavior:

Processing is browser‑based. Answers are kept on the device. An optional shareable link encodes selections in the page URL via the r parameter.

Performance & complexity:

Scoring runs in constant time on 20 items. Rendering includes a lightweight gauge for visual feedback.

Diagnostics & determinism:

Identical responses produce identical totals and subscores. Invalid URL encodings are discarded and do not alter saved answers.

Security considerations:

Encoded responses appear in the URL if sharing is used, which may expose selections in history or logs. Avoid sharing links if privacy is a concern.

Assumptions & limitations:

  • Snapshot of the past week; not a lifetime profile.
  • Self‑report may be influenced by context and recall.
  • Heads‑up Reverse‑scored items reduce the total when marked frequent.
  • Bands are simple thresholds defined in this implementation.
  • Subscore labels reflect proportions of their maxima.
  • Results are not a diagnosis or treatment plan.
  • Heads‑up Shared links include encoded selections in the URL.
  • All items must be answered to display results.

Edge cases & error sources:

  • Non‑digit or wrong‑length r strings are ignored.
  • Unanswered items yield no score and block results until completed.
  • Clipboard permission may be required to copy answers.
  • Browser settings can block file downloads for DOCX or CSV.
  • Accidental sharing of the encoded URL can reveal selections.
  • Changing answers after sharing will change the link’s code.
  • Mobile zoom or very small screens can hide parts of the chart.
  • Color perception varies; bands are also labeled in text.
  • Back/forward navigation may restore a prior r value.
  • Third‑party extensions that alter URLs can break decoding.

Step‑by‑Step Guide:

Depressive symptom scoring with the CES‑D‑20 follows these steps to reach a clear result.

  1. Read each statement about the last week.
  2. Select one frequency option for every item.
  3. Complete all 20 items to unlock results.
  4. Review the total, band, and subscores.
  5. Optionally copy answers or download a summary.
  6. Use the share link only if you are comfortable with it.

Example: Marking “Most or all” for “I was happy” lowers the symptom score for that item because it is reverse‑scored.

Finish by noting one small action to try this week based on your pattern.

FAQ:

Is my data stored?

Answers stay on the device. A share link can embed selections in the URL; avoid sharing it if privacy is a concern.

No server storage is used.
What does the total mean?

It sums symptom frequency from 0 to 60. Higher numbers reflect more frequent symptoms over the past week.

Which items are reverse‑scored?

Items 4, 8, 12, and 16 are reverse‑scored to reflect positive affect.

Can I use it offline?

Scoring runs in the page. If required assets are already loaded, results show without a connection.

How do I share results?

Use the generated link; it encodes answers in a 20‑character code under the r parameter.

Does this diagnose depression?

No. It is a self‑screen. Discuss concerning results with a qualified professional.

Is there a cost or license?

No pricing or licensing is specified in this package. Availability and terms depend on where it is deployed.

Troubleshooting:

  • No results after answering: ensure all 20 items are completed.
  • Gauge not visible: scroll to the results area after completion.
  • Copy fails: grant clipboard permission and try again.
  • Download blocked: allow downloads or set a default download folder.
  • Shared link shows different answers: the URL may reflect an earlier run.
  • Colors look the same: rely on the band labels and numbers.
  • Slow rendering on mobile: wait a moment for the chart to draw.

Advanced Tips:

  • Answer at the same time of day to improve comparability.
  • Recheck items if the pattern looks inconsistent with your week.
  • Note context such as sleep changes or travel when comparing runs.
  • Look at the highest subscore to plan one small action.
  • Use the list of questions to quickly revisit uncertain items.
  • Keep results private by avoiding shared or synced browsers.

Glossary:

CES‑D‑20
A 20‑item symptom inventory scored over the past week.
Reverse‑scored item
A positively worded item where higher frequency lowers symptom score.
Total score
Sum of all item symptom scores from 0 to 60 points.
Subscore
Sum within a theme, shown as points and a descriptive label.
Severity band
A range that groups totals as Minimal, Mild, Moderate, or Severe.
Symptom frequency
How often an experience occurred during the past week.