The psychometric properties of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) Scale for Depression-26-Spanish Version (DSD-26-SV) were examined with a Spanish-speaking, elderly, Hispanic sample (n = 353) of Mexican origin, aged 45 and older (mean age = 62.22). The DSD-26-SV was constructed using diagnostic criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM, APA, 1995), including the DSM-IV. A Coefficient Alpha of .93 was obtained for the Spanish version of the DSD-36-SV. The DSD-26-SV has both continuum and diagnostic threshold capabilities in the assessment of depression. Evidence of excellent reliability (coefficient alpha = .93) was obtained along with concurrent and construct validity. Concurrent validity with an independent proxy measure of depression yielded a Pearson correlation of .73 (p < .000). Cross-cultural equivalence was examined through a series of validity checks. A Major Depressive Episode (MDE) prevalence rate of 3.11% was found for this random sample of community-based Hispanic elders.
