Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZSDS)

Zung’s model for depression, the Zung Self-Rating Depression scale, measures psychological and somatic symptoms linked to depression.  In addition, the scale can be used as a screening tool, monitor for changes, and clinical research purposes.

The questionnaire includes 20-items testing four common characteristic of depression – the pervasive effect, the physiological equivalents, other disturbances, and psycho-motor activities.  Respondents are given a 4-point scale to react to positive or negative statements.  Approximately 10 minutes is required to complete the test.

request a consultation

Discover How We Assist to Edit Your Dissertation Chapters

Aligning theoretical framework, gathering articles, synthesizing gaps, articulating a clear methodology and data plan, and writing about the theoretical and practical implications of your research are part of our comprehensive dissertation editing services.

  • Bring dissertation editing expertise to chapters 1-5 in timely manner.
  • Track all changes, then work with you to bring about scholarly writing.
  • Ongoing support to address committee feedback, reducing revisions.

Author

Dr. William W.K. Zung

Reliability and Validity

The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale has fairly good reliability.  Zung has reported a split-half reliability of 0.73.  An alpha coefficient of 0.68 was obtained by DeForge and Sobal (1988), however 0.82 was reported by DeJonghe & Baneke (1989) and Leung, Lee, Lue, & Tang (1989).  The ZSDS when correlated with the physician’s global rating received a correlation of 0.69.  In addition, ZSDS has a strong correlation with the Hamiliton Rating Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory in assessing self-criticism, hysteria, hypochondriasis, and paranoia.

Obtaining the ZSDS

Zung Depression Scale

Administration, Analysis and Reporting

Statistics Solutions consists of a team of professional methodologists and statisticians that can assist the student or professional researcher in administering the survey instrument, collecting the data, conducting the analyses and explaining the results.

For additional information on these services, click here.

References

Evans D, McCartney C, Haggerty J: Treatment of depression in cancer patients in association with better life adaptation: a pilot study. Psychosom Med 1988; 50:72–76 13.

Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group: Functional Assessment Scale. Clinical Oncology: A Functional Approach. Edited by Rubin P. American Cancer Society, 1983.

Falcon S, Pinglo F, Hurtado de Mendoza L: Autoassessment Zung Scale (anxiety and depression) use in hospitalized patients for cancer treatment. Proc Am Soc Clin Onc Los Angeles, 199814.

Zung, W. W. (1972). The Depression Status Inventory: An adjunct to the Self-Rating Depression Scale: Journal of Clinical Psychology Vol 28(4) Oct 1972, 539-543

Zung, W. W., & Zung, E. M. (1986). Use of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale in the elderly: Clinical Gerontologist Vol 5(1-2) Jun 1986, 137-148.

Dissertation and Journals

Thurber, Steven, Snow, Mark, Honts, Charles R. (2002).  The Zung Self-Rating Depression scale.  Boise State University.

T. Kitamura, H. Hirano, Z. Chen, and M. Hirata (2009).  Factor structure of the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale in first-year university students in Japan.  Psychiatry Research, Volume 128, Issue 3, 281-287

Gregor, J. Robert. (1994)  The Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale as a Potential Screening Tool for Use with Eskimos.  State University of New York.

Smith, B. Timothy, Rosenstein, Ilene, Granaas, M. Michae (2001).  Intake Screening with the self-Rating Depression Scale in a University Counseling Center.  Journal of College Counseling.