Development of the Depression Coping Self-Efficacy Scale (DCSES)

The purpose of this study was to develop an instrument with which to measure the coping self-efficacy of depressed psychiatric patients. Item development arose from an extensive review of the literature and a survey of nurse experts for identification of coping actions for depressed patients. After pilot testing, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and study scale (DCSES) were given to 150 depressed inpatients and 24 nondepressed community volunteers. Using a variety of procedures, the DCSES was shortened to 24 items and tested on a group of 51 subjects from the same depressed population. Preliminary analyses support the use of the DCSES to measure coping self-efficacy of depressed psychiatric patients.